Barcelona fear that boss Pep Guardiola could miss next week's
crunch Champions League clash with Arsenal.
The 40-year-old has been suffering severe back pain and was
taken to hospital after last night's 1-0 league victory at Valencia
that left the Catalans 10 points at the top of the table.
Despite deciding to attend the match with acute discomfort in
his lower back, there are now doubts over whether he will be able
to make it to the touchline for the second leg with the
Gunners.
Agony: Barca coach Pep Guardiola can barely stand
because of the back pain not even eased by Lionel Messi scoring the
only goal to beat Valencia
Guardiola’s No 2 Tito Vilanova said: ‘Pep is not feeling great
and he got through the match as best he could. He is having a bad
time of it and he doesn’t even know where to put himself.’
Guardiola has been diagnosed as suffering from a herniated
disc.
A Barca statement read: 'Early this morning, Guardiola was
admitted to hospital in Barcelona to continue treatment and study
of his acute back pain.
'His medical examination has revealed that he has a herniated
disc, and he will be treated with drugs and epidural injections.
His release from hospital depends on the progress he makes.'
Guardiola had to cancel a press conference on Tuesday because of
his back problems.
Barcelona face struggling Real Zaragoza at home on Saturday
before meeting Arsenal three days later looking to overturn a 2-1
first leg defeat and knock the Londoners out of the tournament for
the second successive year.