Barcelona defender Alves faces spell on the sidelines with injury

By foxsports
Published

BARCELONA, Spain --

Barcelona has added right back Dani Alves to its list of unavailable players after he sustained a groin strain during the defending champion's 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Barcelona says tests on Monday confirmed the injury after Alves was substituted in the first half of the league opener. It didn't say how long it expected him to be out.

The European champion adds that Sergio Busquets' ankle injury that also led to his substitution ''is nothing serious.''

Barcelona center back Gerard Pique is suspended for three more games.

It is also waiting for Neymar to get well from the mumps and Adriano to get back from injury.

Barcelona hosts Malaga next Saturday, but then has a week off for international competition.