La Liga giants Barcelona have late on Tuesday been dealt nothing short of a hammer blow on the personnel front.
This comes amid reports that youngster Marc Bernal is set for a long-term spell on the sidelines.
Bernal, for his part, was forced into a premature departure from Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano earlier this evening.
As much came owing to an unfortunate collision with Rayo’s Isi Palazón, inside the game’s closing moments.
The 17-year-old was helped from the Vallecas pitch by the visitors’ medical staff, unable to put any weight on his left leg as he made his way down the tunnel post-match.
And now, in the game’s aftermath, Barcelona’s worst first have seemingly been confirmed.
As per a report from Blaugrana insider Toni Juanmartí of Diario Sport, Bernal has suffered a torn ACL:
‘The young Barça midfielder, the sensation of the start of the season for Hansi Flick’s men, has reportedly torn the cruciate ligaments in his left knee, according to sources close to the dressing room.’
Official confirmation of as much is yet to arrive by way of Barca themselves, but an announcement is expected in short order.
Bernal, afforded starts in all three of his side’s La Liga fixtures to open the campaign, is therefore unlikely to take to the pitch again this season.
