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Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde was stretchered off after a heavy collision with Las Palmas forward Sandro Ramirez in their LaLiga clash on November 30. The 21-year-old returned to the starting XI for his Spanish side as they faced their opposition in front of their fans.
Balde was benched against Celta Vigo in LaLiga and brought on in the second half against Brest in the UEFA Champions League midweek. He was named in the starting XI to face Las Palmas on Saturday. The Spain international made his first start for the club since featuring in their narrow defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break.
Balde started the game for Hansi Flick's side, as planned, but lasted only 25 minutes before being forced off with an apparent injury. The youngster collided with Sandro Ramirez as they got into a duel for the ball, hitting his neck against the shoulder of the older man. He immediately went down clutching his throat as he appeared to be struggling to breathe.
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The left-back was stretchered off the pitch and straight down the tunnel as he continued coughing. He appeared, even, to vomit on the pitch as he made his way off it.
Flick sent on Gerard Martin, who started each of the last two games, in the place of the stricken Balde following his injury. The left-back has appeared 14 times for Barcelona this season, registering two assists.
Alejandro Balde and Barcelona will be hopeful that the injury is not a serious one, seeing as the youngster missed half of the 2023-24 season through injury. With 16 appearances to his name already this season, he will hope to remain fit and healthy for his side.
Lamine Yamal makes Barcelona return in Las Palmas clash
Barcelona boy wonder Lamine Yamal has made his return to the side as they face Las Palmas in LaLiga. The teenager had been out of action since picking up an ankle problem against Crvena Zvezda on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League on November 6.
Yamal was sent on at halftime with the game scoreless, replacing youngster Pablo Torre in attack for the Spanish side. The return of the 17-year-old will have been a welcome sight for Hansi Flick. At the time of writing, the match was level at 1-1. The German saw his side go behind to a strike from former Barca man Sandro Ramirez in the 49th minute. However, Raphinha equalized in the 69th minute.
Lamine Yamal has already scored five goals and provided seven assists in only 12 appearances in LaLiga this season. The youngster was named the 2024 Golden Boy while he was out injured, and he will be keen to inspire his side to victory.
