The French defender is suffering from a liver tumour and was expected to make a comeback this December; however, Xavi has revealed that the Frenchman might return to the first-team before expected.
Last season Barcelona saw their form deteriorate after they lost two of their very important players, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629 and Eric Abidal.
While http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Villa’s playmaking and goal-scoring abilities, they were without Abidal’s strength in defence.
The Frenchman was diagnosed with a liver cancer and had to be benched, leaving Josep Guardiola in a fix as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 were also struggling with their fitness.
Therefore, La Blaugrana had to adjust with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adriano-c3773 in their first-team defensive line-up.
Guardiola even tried to adjust with a three-man defence-line, but it was not the solution for his defensive crises.
Therefore, La Blaugrana suffered a lot because of Eric Abidal, as they did not have a suitable left-back in their first-team.
Josep Guardiola was unable to win much last season, as La Blaugrana were unable to accomplish anything in both the top competitions they were a part of.
The Catalan giants first lost the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League as they managed to lose against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and later they also lost the Spanish La Liga at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
With Abidal picking up a liver tumour last season, it was expected that he will return to Barcelona’s team by the end of the current year.
However, Xavi Hernandez has recently revealed that the Frenchman might return to first-team action before expected.
While speaking about his Barcelona team-mate, Xavi Hernandez stated:
“He’s amazing, amazing, an example for the whole group.”
“I’m not going to say whether it will be in November, but the truth is it will be between November and December.”
With Abidal not recovering before the start of the season, Tito Vilanova decided to buy Valencia’s full-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordi-Alba-c19111, during the summer transfer window and he will be present in the team to give the Frenchman some competition as soon he returns to Barcelona’s
22-man squad.
The Catalan giants are currently leading the Spanish La Liga table after keeping a perfect record in the league.
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