Barcelona’s Mathieu out for three weeks

MADRID:

Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu will be sidelined for around three weeks after suffering from a calf injury during the 1-0 defeat against Espanyol in the Catalan Super Cup on Tuesday, the Spanish champions said yesterday. “Test conducted by the medical services yesterday morning have revealed that FC Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu has injured the soleus in his right foot,” Barcelona said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com). “...which means he’s going to be sidelined for an estimated three weeks.” The 32-year-old joins fellow defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba on the sidelines. Captain Andres Iniesta suffered knee ligament damage in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Valencia and is expected to be sidelined for between six and eight weeks.Mathieu will miss this weekend’s league game against Granada as well as next Sunday’s trip to second-place Sevilla. The 32-year-old is also suspended for Barca’s return fixture against Manchester City in the Champions League on November 1. Barcelona, who are currently third in La Liga with 19 points, face Granada on Sunday. —AP