FC Barcelona exorcised their Super Copa demons with a hard-fought victory over Athetic Bilbao at San Mames.
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Alves suffered the injury during Sunday’s La Liga win over Athletic Bilbao.
Barca, beaten 4-0 on their most recent visit to Bilbao in the preseason Spanish Supercopa first leg, looked in trouble again after Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty, but got revenge of sorts by securing the three points through Luis Suarez’s second-half volley.
In a statement released by the club, it said, “In the case of Dani Alves, the tests carried out have confirmed that the Brazilian has an abductor injury in his right leg”.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique was optimistic in his post-match press conference, stating that he doesn’t believe that the injuries to either player will keep them out for any length of time, while also admitting that they aren’t having much luck keeping the players off the physio’s table.
“The pre-season meant we had to start competing very early and there is a greater risk of things like this happening”, added the former Spain and Barca midfielder.
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Midfielder Sergi Roberto came on as a replacement for Alves at right-back, with summer signing Aleix Vidal not permitted to play for the club until January due to the Federation Internationale de Football Association transfer ban. “I just discuss my team”.
