After a bruising encounter in the Estadio de Anoeta, Barcelona will have to pay attention to the physical evolution of Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba over the next few days. Although both finished the match against Real Sociedad they were clearly struggling for long periods, so club doctors have their work cut out to ensure both are fit for the visit of Real Madrid on Saturday. Pique had only just come back into the side after a month out injured, but is still playing in pain. On Sunday, in the first half, he motioned to be subbed initially, after an impact to his troublesome right ankle. However, a few seconds later, when Marlon was about to come on, Pique changed his mind and battled on until the end of the game.
Alba looked in incredible pain when falling under a challenge from Carlos Vela yet he too played on for the full 90 minutes - possibly with a knee injury. The left back also called for a change but once Lucas Digne was ready to come on, Alba decided to continue. Worse was to follow right at the end of the game, but it went under the radar of many. Lionel Messi was hurt and his face told the story on the way to the dressing room, but Luis Enrique denied it in his press conference. Although he wasn't injured Ivan Rakitic was subbed off at half time, something that the coach failed to explain away adequately.Taking a closer look at the bench, the other available offensive options were Paco Alcacer and Rafinha Alcantara.
Given the circumstances of the match, the participation of Jasper Cillessen, Lucas Digne, Marlon Santos and Carles Alena would have been shocking barring injury but the lack of substitutions was even more stunning considering the dreadful performance by Andre Gomes. The Portuguese, acquired in the 2016 summer transfer window, lost possession of the football on many occasions and often looked overwhelmed. Yet, the coach opted not to send Rafinha on. Alcacer didn't get a chance either, despite the fact that Luis Suarez never found his rhythm on Sunday night. It seems so long ago since the Catalans boasted that they had their strongest squad ever and the absences of Samuel Umtiti, Arda Turan and Andres Iniesta have taken a toll on that presumed depth.
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