Injury blow for Barca

Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara has been ruled out for up to eight weeks after scans showed knee ligament damage.

The 21-year-old suffered the injury during Barca’s thrilling 3-2 Primera Division victory at Sevilla on Saturday night.

A statement on www.fcbarcelona.com read: “Thiago will be out for eight weeks after tests confirmed damaged ligament in his right knee.

“The player will undergo conservative treatment, with doctors estimating he’ll be out for up to eight weeks.”

Barca’s win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan maintained their 100% record in La Liga this term. Tito Vilanova’s side face Benfica in the Champions League tomorrow and host arch rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday night.