Barcelona Femení lose Kika Nazareth as attacking options shrink

Barcelona Femení’s injury list grew on Saturday morning, with Pere Romeu facing another fitness setback ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. The club confirmed that Kika Nazareth has sustained a sprain to the articular capsule of her right ankle and is expected to be sidelined for around two weeks.

Barcelona announced the diagnosis in an official statement, as Mundo Deportivo reported, with the initial timeline placing her recovery at between 10 and 15 days.

Nazareth featured for Portugal during the recent international break, starting both friendlies against the United States, one of which ended in a win for the Portuguese side. She is set to miss Sunday’s league trip to Real Sociedad in San Sebastián and next weekend’s home fixture against Deportivo at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Her availability for the Champions League visit of Leuven will depend on how her recovery progresses.

The Clásico against Real Madrid on November 15 at the Lluís Companys Stadium is the next major date on the calendar. Based on the estimated recovery window, Nazareth is expected to be cutting it close to make that fixture.

The timing is difficult for Romeu, who had identified Nazareth as his first option to replace Ewa Pajor in the number nine role. Pajor remains sidelined for several more weeks, while Salma Paralluelo also picked up an injury during the international break and is expected to be out for 10 to 12 weeks.

With Pajor and Nazareth unavailable and Paralluelo facing a lengthy layoff, Barcelona’s front line will rely primarily on Clàudia Pina for goals as Romeu manages the November schedule with a thinner attacking group.