Barcelona's Alex Balde ruled out with hamstring injury

Balde's absence is a blow for Barcelona as he has started the season in strong form, providing defensive stability on the left flank while contributing to the attack with his pace and crossing ability.

His injury comes at a critical point, with Barcelona preparing for a run of important fixtures in both La Liga and the Champions League.

The club have stated that the player's availability will depend on the progression of his recovery. If the hamstring strain is minor, he could be back in time for the La Liga clash against Valencia on Sunday, 14 September, before their Champions League opener at Newcastle United on Thursday, 18 September.

Hansi Flick now faces the challenge of adjusting his defensive options in his absence, potentially giving opportunities to other full-backs or rotating the squad to cover the gap.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate as Barcelona look to maintain momentum after a positive start to the season.