Ferran Torres' muscle strain sidelines him for key Barcelona matches

The injury, though not severe, will see him miss the Copa del Rey clash against Barbastro on January 4, and his participation in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on January 8 is now in doubt.

This setback is a significant blow for manager Hansi Flick, who is already dealing with absences in the attacking line.

The injury list at Barcelona also includes goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, midfielder Fermin Lopez Bernal, and defender Andreas Christensen, further complicating team selections.

Torres had been in scintillating form this season, contributing significantly with four goals in his last five appearances across La Liga and the Champions League.

His absence comes at a particularly frustrating time for both the player and the club, as he was enjoying what many described as a "sweet moment" in his career.

A club spokesperson commented, "Ferran's injury is unfortunate, but we're confident in our squad's depth to cover his absence. We're focusing on his recovery to ensure he returns stronger."

This situation tests Barcelona's resilience and depth, as they navigate through a critical phase of their season with several key players sidelined.

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