UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.
Favourite team

Mascherano to miss Barça's Celtic test

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

FC Barcelona have suffered a setback ahead of their trip to Celtic FC next Tuesday with defender Javier Mascherano ruled out of the encounter with a strained hamstring.

Javier Mascherano has impressed in defence for Barcelona this term
Javier Mascherano has impressed in defence for Barcelona this term ©Getty Images

FC Barcelona have lost defender Javier Mascherano for next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League trip to Celtic FC after the Argentinian international sustained a right hamstring strain.

Mascherano collided with Sergio Busquets early in Barcelona's 4-1 Liga home victory over Real Sociedad de Fútbol on Tuesday and after initially soldiering on, the 29-year-old was substituted in the 35th minute. Subsequent medical tests revealed that the former Liverpool FC midfielder will be sidelined for up to a fortnight.

The injury is a blow to Barça coach Gerardo Martino, for whom Mascherano has been ever-present this season in central defence. The Blaugrana opened their quest for a fifth European Cup with a 4-0 Group H win at home to AFC Ajax. Next they face a Celtic side who suffered a 2-0 reverse at AC Milan.

© 1998-2024 UEFA. All rights reserved. Last updated: Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Selected for you

Atlético and Barcelona maintain faultless starts
Live 24/09/2013

Atlético and Barcelona maintain faultless starts

FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid continued their faultless Liga starts as the duo made it six wins from six against Real Sociedad de Fútbol and CA Osasuna, respectively.
Barcelona's Messi targets title after Ajax treble
Live 18/09/2013

Barcelona's Messi targets title after Ajax treble

After Lionel Messi claimed another UEFA Champions League hat-trick and took plaudits even from the AFC Ajax camp, the No10 insisted it is trophies, not goals, that interest him.
Martino glad to see Barcelona improving
Live 18/09/2013

Martino glad to see Barcelona improving

Gerardo Martino hailed a "very important" win for FC Barcelona against an AFC Ajax side whose coach Frank de Boer was left "really annoyed" by two lapses in concentration.
Martino sees room for Barcelona improvement
Live 17/09/2013

Martino sees room for Barcelona improvement

FC Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino is striving for an improvement ahead of his UEFA Champions League bow, while Frank de Boer wants AFC Ajax to "stick to our style".