In a concerning development for Barcelona, midfield maestro Alexia Putellas has been ruled out of action for approximately three weeks due to a calf injury. The setback comes at an inopportune time for the Catalan club, as they gear up for a critical stretch of their season, both domestically and in Europe.
Putellas’ Scintillating Form Halted
The 30-year-old Spaniard had been in sparkling form since returning from a lengthy ACL injury that sidelined her for most of the 2022-23 campaign. Under the guidance of new manager Pere Romeu, Putellas appeared to be rediscovering her best, having already notched an impressive 10 goals and 5 assists from her midfield role this season.
Her performances had been a key factor in Barcelona’s strong start to the season, with the team looking to reassert their dominance both in Spain and on the European stage. Now, however, they will have to cope without their talismanic figure for several crucial fixtures.
Spain Call-Up Cancelled
The injury has also forced Putellas to withdraw from the Spain squad for their upcoming friendly matches against South Korea and France. It’s a blow for the world champions, who would have been keen to have their star midfielder involved as they continue their preparations for next year’s Olympics.
Losing Alexia is always a big miss for us, both in terms of her quality on the pitch and her leadership off it. We hope she makes a speedy recovery and is back in the Spain shirt soon.
– A source close to the Spain women’s national team
Crucial Matches on the Horizon
For Barcelona, Putellas is set to sit out league clashes against Real Betis and Valencia, as well as a Champions League tie versus Hammarby. But the primary concern will be whether she can regain fitness in time for the vital Champions League showdown with Manchester City on December 18th.
Barça fell to a defeat against the English side when the teams met in October, and they will almost certainly need to triumph in the return fixture at the Olympic Stadium if they harbor ambitions of topping the group and securing a more favorable draw in the knockout rounds.
The Road to Recovery
For Putellas, the focus now shifts to recuperation and rehabilitation. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner is no stranger to the recovery process, having worked diligently to bounce back from her ACL injury and recapture her best form.
While the calf problem is not as severe, it still represents an unwelcome interruption to her rhythm and progress. Barcelona’s medical team will be working closely with Putellas to ensure she receives the best possible treatment and can return to the pitch as soon as is safely possible.
Alexia is a fighter and she has shown incredible resilience to come back stronger from her ACL injury. We have no doubt she will approach this latest setback with the same determination and professionalism.
– A member of Barcelona’s coaching staff
The Putellas Effect
There is no questioning Putellas’ importance to this Barcelona side. Her creativity, vision, and goal-scoring prowess from midfield have been central to their success in recent years. She is the heartbeat of the team, and her absence will be keenly felt.
- In the 2021-22 season, Putellas scored a staggering 33 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions as Barcelona won every trophy available.
- Her performances saw her become the first player to win the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award twice in a row.
- Putellas’ leadership and experience will be missed just as much as her technical skills during her time on the sidelines.
Manager Pere Romeu will now be tasked with finding a way to compensate for Putellas’ absence and keep Barcelona’s momentum going. The likes of Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, and new signing Keira Walsh will be expected to step up and shoulder more of the creative burden in midfield.
The Bigger Picture
While losing Putellas for any length of time is undoubtedly a blow, it’s important to maintain perspective. This Barcelona squad is packed with quality and depth, and they have shown an ability to cope with adversity before.
Last season, they navigated a grueling schedule and a spate of injuries to key players en route to lifting the Spanish league title and reaching the Champions League final. Romeu will be confident that he has the tools at his disposal to steer the ship in Putellas’ absence.
Every player in this squad knows their role and what is expected of them. We have full faith in the group to pull together and continue striving for our objectives while Alexia recovers.
– A Barcelona teammate of Putellas
Nevertheless, Putellas’ progress will be closely monitored over the coming weeks. Her return will provide a enormous boost to Barcelona’s prospects, both in terms of her on-field contributions and the psychological lift her presence gives to those around her.
For now, though, it’s a case of taking things day by day and allowing the recovery process to take its course. If all goes well, Putellas will be back pulling the strings in the Barcelona midfield before too long, and the team’s title aspirations will look that much brighter as a result.
