Injury list grows as Barca pay price for win in Bilbao

FC Barcelona have an injury crisis looming in the wake of Sunday's narrow win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao.

The 1-0 win in the San Mames stadium came thanks to a Luis Suarez goal which gave them three points to kick off their defense of the BBVA Primera Liga, but the win came at a heavy price as both Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets had to leave the game through injury.

Early indications are that Alves could have a groin injury which would leave him out of action for around a month, while Busquets has a twisted ankle which makes him a doubt for next weekend and perhaps the next round of international matches.

"They are things which are part of football. It is a sport which is demanding at a physical level and if we have to start the season which games which are as demanding as this, then it is normal for injuries to happen," said Luis Enrique.

"It is a contact sport and we are not having a lot of luck," he added

As well as the losses of Busquets and Alves, Barcelona will also be without injured defender Adriano when they entertain Malaga next weekend, while Neymar is starting his recovery following a bout of mumps, and Gerard Pique is serving the second game of a four-match ban after being sent off in the Supercup.

Of course the club cannot make any further signings between now and the end of the year as a result of a FIFA ban imposed for irregularities in the club's youth system. Endi