Barcelona»s captain Carles Puyol (2ndL) is stretched out during their UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi set up goals for Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas in their 2-0 Champions League Group G victory over Benfica on Tuesday but the success was marred when captain Carles Puyol suffered a dislocated elbow.
Sanchez fired Barça ahead early on and Fabregas added a second 10 minutes into the second half but the damage to Puyol means he will miss the La Liga ‘Clasico’ against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
The Catalans had Sergio Busquets dismissed two minutes from time but will be more concerned about Puyol, who landed awkwardly after leaping for a ball and was carried off on a stretcher in obvious pain after 78 minutes.
The Spain international was playing his first match since recovering from a knee problem.
«We are waiting for more information but he will certainly miss the ‘Clásico’,» Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova told reporters.
Barça defender Dani Alves, who was visibly shaken by Puyol’s injury during the match, said his team mates were concerned.
«We are really saddened by the (Puyol) situation,» he said.
Barça have six points from two games and although their confidence is high heading into ‘El Clasico’, they now have problems at the back with Puyol’s defensive partner Gerard Pique also sidelined by injury.
buenosairesherald.com