Barça suffer double blow
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Article summary
FC Barcelona full-backs Gabri García and Sylvinho both suffered knee injuries, Gabri's serious, on Thursday.
Article body
FC Barcelona full-backs Gabri García and Sylvinho face spells on the sidelines after being forced off with injuries in the first ten minutes of tonight's 4-1 Primera División victory against Real Zaragoza.
Sylvinho knee sprain
Sylvinho was restored to the starting lineup on the left but within two minutes had hobbled off the pitch. Subsequent examination indicated a sprained left knee which would rule him out for a month. The Brazilian will therefore miss Wednesday's home UEFA Champions League match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, while the trip to AC Milan on 20 October could also be a struggle.
Gabri fear
Worse was to follow seven minutes later when Gabri fell to the ground after attempting to control a loose ball. Initial fears are that the right-back, who like Sylvinho was brought back by Frank Rijkaard after injury tonight, may have torn cruciate ligaments in his right knee. Thiago Motta will undergo surgery for the same injury on Monday and is likely to be out for six months.
