Valverde gives update on Iniesta & Pique injuries

Ernesto Valverde offered an injury update on Andres Iniesta after he was forced off in the first half of Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The club have confirmed that he has a hamstring problem but have said he needs more tests to determine the severity of the problem.

Barcelona will be hoping the problem is not too serious, with their Champions League second leg against Chelsea on the horizon, a match Philippe Coutinho is cup-tied for.

“Iniesta is a unique player, a little like Messi, so it’s difficult to find a player who can replace him,” he said.

”He is unique in the world in terms of the characteristics he has. We will have to see the extent of the injury. He carried on playing at first so we thought it wasn’t too bad, but we’re not sure. ... He was playing incredibly.”

Source | ESPN

Gerard Pique also appeared to be playing through the pain. His knee was strapped again and he took a knock in the second half, but Valverde insists it is not a serious injury

“Pique has an injury which allows him to keep playing,” he said. “It’s not a big problem and with two or three weeks’ [rest], he could be fine.

”He can play. We’re risking him. It depends a little on if he takes a knock in the injured area. For the moment, it’s not gone badly, so we will keep on going with him.”

Hopefully the injury to Iniesta is not too serious, but it does look as though Barcelona may have to cope without him for the next couple of matches at least.

Source: barcablaugranes.com