Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba ruled out for Barcelona's second game with Manchester City

Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are set to be on the sidelines for around three and two weeks respectively after the Barcelona duo limped off during the Champions League 4-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday night (19 October). The club have confirmed the double blow after the two defender underwent medical tests on Thursday morning.

The former Manchester United centre-back was replaced by Jeremy Mathieu later on in the first half following a tackle from his compatriot David Silva. Meanwhile, Alba only played 10 minutes before being substituted by Lucas Digne as he appeared to suffer a recurrence of the injury which he suffered during the recent international break while on duty with Spain.

The Catalans overcome those injures to secure a comfortable 4-0 victory over Manchester City but the club have now revealed that the win came at a cost for Luis Enrique.

"Piqué has been diagnosed with sprained ligaments in his right ankle and is expected to be out for around three weeks," Barcelona said throw an official statement. "Meanwhile, Jordi Alba has an elongation in the femoral biceps of the left leg, and the approximate time on the sidelines will be two weeks."

The injuries are a massive blow to Barcelona ahead of a tough run of fixtures before the coming international break in November. The La Liga giants visit Valencia on Saturday (22 October) before three games with Granada (29 October), Manchester City (1 November) and Sevilla (6 November).

Pique, according to the medical statement, will miss all the four games as he is not expected to be back available until the 10<sup>th of November. He may not return to action for Barcelona until the game against Malaga on 19 November as after the trip to Sevilla there is another international break, with Spain paying against Macedonia on 12 November before a friendly with England three days later.

Jordi Alba, meanwhile, could be back for the trip to Sevilla but is surely going to miss the Champions League trip to the Etihad Stadium, as well the two La Liga encounters with Valencia and Granada.