Fabregas: Injuries hurting Barca

Cesc Fabregas admits Barcelona’s injury problems are affecting the Catalans as several key figures have been hit by setbacks this season.

Important players such as Carles Puyol and Xavi have both missed a number of games this term due to injury, while Lionel Messi is currently out of action due to a muscular problem.

“We’ve had more injuries than normal this year and it’s wearing us down. Our form is good coming into the final stretch of the season, though,” Fabregas said.

The former Arsenal midfielder then went on to reflect on his side’s 3-0 La Liga win over Zaragoza at the weekend and stated that things were not easy for Barca.

He added: “La Romareda is always a difficult stadium, and the conditions we played in weren’t very helpful.”

Thiago, meanwhile, who scored and assisted two goals in the Zaragoza win, has stressed Barcelona are desperate to quickly wrap up the league title in the wake of Sunday’s victory.

He said: “We want to win La Liga as soon as possible, but the race isn’t over yet. There are a lot of points still in play and we can’t assume that this is a done deal.”

Barcelona currently hold a 13-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid.