Barcelona will be without winger Raphinha and new goalkeeper Joan García for the next few weeks after both suffered injuries, the club confirmed Friday.
García, who has started every match since joining from Espanyol this summer, injured the meniscus in his left knee and will require arthroscopic surgery. The defending La Liga champions expect him to be sidelined for four to six weeks. Spanish media reported that García sustained the injury during Friday training.
Raphinha, who played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s league and Copa del Rey victories last season, is expected to be out for around three weeks with a right hamstring injury. The Brazilian forward appeared to pick up the injury during Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Oviedo on Thursday.
Barcelona faces Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday, followed by a Champions League clash against European champions Paris Saint-Germain three days later. The team will then play its first El Clásico of the season against Real Madrid on October 26.
The club could get a boost if young forward Lamine Yamal, who recently missed four games with a groin injury, is cleared to play. Meanwhile, midfielder Gavi Paéz remains sidelined after undergoing surgery for a right knee meniscus injury earlier this week.
With García out, Wojciech Szczesny is expected to step in as goalkeeper, while Marcus Rashford or Ferran Torres may cover for Raphinha on the wing.