Guardiola undergoing treatment for back problem

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is undergoing treatment in hospital after medical tests revealed a herniated disc in his back, the club said Thursday.

Guardiola was admitted to a Barcelona hospital overnight with acute back pain after the Spanish leader's 1-0 win at Valencia on Wednesday. He will be treated by medics until he is fit to be released, Barcelona said.

The 40-year-old Guardiola remained seated on the bench for most of the game in obvious discomfort from a problem that has nagged him for weeks.

Guardiola's back problem comes at a crucial point of Barcelona's season. The Catalan club faces a 2-1 deficit going into next week's Champions League second leg against Arsenal.

It now looks unlikely that he will be on the sidelines for Saturday's league match against Zaragoza at Camp Nou.