Monday’s Catalan media once again had reports decrying the impact of international football on the fitness of Barcelona players.
The so-called FIFA Virus is often an issue for big clubs around the world, and this time Barca had seen Samuel Umtiti picked up a bruised foot which would likely see him miss the Valencia match.
Nelson Semedo had also picked up an injury, after a heavy tackle during Portugal’s match against Serbia. He was stretchered off, and a source told Mundo Deportivo Semedo ‘felt a strong pain in his right ankle’.
That optimism has since seen a rain cloud positioned over it. The Barcelona player missed Portugal training on Monday, and is now expected to also miss the match, according to both O Jogo and Record.
Joao Cancelo, who signed for Manchester City during the last window, will likely take his place.
Barcelona’s optimum scenario would have been for Semedo to be fit enough to train but to be rested for the match, and they’ve not quite got that.
