Xavi to miss weekend clash with Mallorca
Barcelona midfielder Xavi will not take part in Barcelona's league match against Mallorca this weekend at Camp Nou the club confirmed.
Spanish International coach Vincente Del Bosque had ruled out the playmaking midfielder for Spain's upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland, on Oct. 8 and Oct 12 respectively, but the Blaugrana had been unwilling to rule out Xavi's presence
in the Barcelona side for their upcoming league matches.
The 30-year-old Xavi has been suffering from tendonitis and although he had been training with the club and was in the lineup in midweek when Barcelona drew 1-1 with Russian side Rubin Kazan, he did sit out Barcelona's most recent training session.
Although it had initially looked as though manager Pep Guardiola was going to keep Xavi in the side, the Barcelona boss has since reconsidered and is now looking to let Xavi rest and take some time to recover from the injury which has been nagging him since
the start of the season.
With Xavi certainly out of the lineup this Sunday against Mallorca, and not expected to return until Oct. 17, when Barcelona will take on current league leaders Valencia, added pressure will be put on the Barcelona midfield to control possession and provide
chances to the team's strikers.
With striker David Villa also out of the lineup, Barcelona will be hoping the return to the starting lineup of Lionel Messi, back from an ankle injury which he sustained on Sept. 19 in Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid, will provide their team
with a lift. Midfielder Andres Iniesta will be counted upon to play the role of provider, while recently acquired Javier Mascherano will fill in for Xavi as the one patrolling the center of midfield.
Barcelona currently sit tied for second place in the La Liga standings on 12 points, and are only a single point back of league leaders Valencia.
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