Barcelona's misery at being beaten by Atletico Madrid was made worse after Gerard Pique was forced off with a knee injury as the club's injury crisis deepened.
The 33-year-old was forced off the field at the Wanda Metropolitano in tears with a potentially serious knee injury after a freak collision with Angel Correa.
Sport suggest Pique could be facing a six-month lay-off, adding to the growing list of absentees for Barca, who are already without Ansu Fati and Samuel Umtiti, while Sergi Roberto also hobbled off in Saturday's 1-0 defeat.
The Catalan side were in desperate need of a positive result going into the game but went behind after Yannick Carrasco took advantage of a Marc Andres ter Stegen in the game's only goal just before half time.
It went from bad to worse after the break for Barca after Correa fell with his full weight onto Pique's outstretched leg forcing it to bend in an awkward direction, with the Spaniard visibly distressed.
It is believed the dressing room have already recognised it as a serious injury and could force the Spain international out for six months.
The unconventional manner in which his leg was forced has led to many to speculate it could be an anterior cruciate ligament injury, known as one of the worst for a footballer.
After another disastrous day in a difficult season for Ronald Koeman's side, their third defeat leaves them 10th in LaLiga, nine points behind Atletico in second.
Barca confirmed the knee injury to Pique after the game but did not specify the seriousness, whilst also noting Roberto's injury.
Koeman expressed his concern after the game, saying: 'The injuries of Piqué and Sergi Roberto are worrying me. We look forward to seeing the results after tomorrow to know how long they will be out for.'
Sai_guy11
519
After that 8-2 defeat to beyern, non of our back four should return as a barca player, barca retaining them shows how unserious we are, we are defeated and they sold our striker nd keep the defenders
with what money. You gonna rob a bank for us or something. You just said that they cbs are shit well then who’s gonna buy them. Lenglet isn’t even that old of a signing, and a couple of poor performances doesn’t define people. You obviously don’t know how the game works. Even if you wanted to make the case for pique, with covid there’s no way we would’ve gotten any offers or even much money
Henoc21
464
You don’t realize how important someone is until they are gone, a very big shame to those fans of Barca who don’t want him!
D10S_LM10
125
Let's just wait for official news about the extent of injury. Get well soon PIQUE ❤️💙