Alejandro Balde forced off injured for Barcelona against Granada

Alejandro Balde made his La Liga debut for Barcelona on Monday against Granada but it sadly ended prematurely with the youngster forced off in the first half.

The teenager picked up a back problem and was replaced by Oscar Mingueza shortly before half-time.

It’s a real shame for Balde who looked set for a run in the first team with Jordi Alba currently out with a hamstring problem but now looks set to join him on the injured list.

Balde’s early exit leaves Ronald Koeman without a fit left-back and comes at the start of a busy week with games against Cadiz and Levante still to come.

Koeman brought on Mingueza in place of Balde with the 22-year-old featuring at right-back and Sergino Dest switching over to the opposite flank.

The injury to Balde adds to Koeman’s problems and makes for a growing list of Barcelona players currently out of action.

Balde joins Pedri, Alba, Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati, Sergio Aguero, and Martin Braithwaite on the injured list, although it’s hoped Fati could be back for the visit of Levante.