Barcelona full-back Douglas out for two months

Head coach Luis Enrique said after Tuesday’s defeat to Chelsea on his club’s official website: “The only negative note of this game is Douglas’s injury”.

The match ended 2-2 and was then won 4-2 on penalties by the Premier League champions.

“It has been a more physically demanding game than usual after 10 days on tour”.

Andres Iniesta agreed with his manager, saying that the improvement needs to continue once the squad arrives back in Spain.

“There are positive things and others to improve, as always early in the season“, Iniesta told reporters. “We are still trying to prepare ourselves as best we can through training sessions and matches and, beyond results, I think we have to be positive”. In comments via Spanish outlet AS, the Asturuan coach explained: “We didn’t lose the game, we drew”. However, Blues centre-back Gary Cahill equalised late on for Jose Mourinho’s side, prompting questions about Barcelona’s fragility from set-pieces.

The manager’s comments must be considered in the context of Manchester United’s pursuit of Pedro, with Enrique apparently confirming that the forward could still leave should Louis van Gaal opt to meet his buy-out clause. “We know that we must suffer when we defend corners, because we don’t have the tallest players”.

“It’s another option. You have to remember that a full back at Barca is nearly like a midfielder”.

Barca announced Douglas will be out for eight weeks.

“It is not true that I am suffering in Luis Enrique’s style of play“.

A thigh injury is believed to be the cause and will bring further disruption to Douglas’ career after his first season at Camp Nou was nearly entirely a washout as he struggled to adapt following a move from Sao Paulo. Enrique concluded, regarding the performance of his team against Chelsea, whilst adding: “I’m sad about the injury for Douglas”.