Injury to Vital Busquets Puts Barcelona Teammates on the Hot Seat

"Unpleasant news" was how Luis Enrique described Wednesday's injury to key midfielder Sergio Busquets.

It could end up being that and more. Much more.

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"In the absence of a diagnosis he'll be out for a few days," the Barcelona manager stated to reporters after a 3-1 win at Villarreal that propelled his side into the final of the Copa del Rey. "We await to see how many."

On Thursday the club's official website would only confirm that Busquets will miss Sunday's match at home to Rayo Vallecano, although AS has already speculated the Spain international's absence could stretch through meetings with Eibar and Champions League rivals Manchester City as well.

"

VINE: O lance que tirou Busquets da partida. https://t.co/hLf605sK1J

— Papo Europeu (@papoeuropeu) March 4, 2015"

The 26-year-old was stretchered off the pitch at El Madrigal after being tackled late and hard by Tomas Pina, who escaped sanction on the play but was later ejected for another challenge to Barcelona forward Neymar.

It certainly looked a serious incident, and while it's understandable the Catalan giants would prefer to be cautious in their prognosis, it's hard to believe Busquets will be fit and available for selection after little more than a week's recovery.

And that's both bad news to his club and a challenge to some of his teammates.

With the notable declines of generational midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, it's arguable that Busquets has never before been as vital to the Barcelona cause. A swashbuckling presence in the centre of the park, he picks up surprisingly few fouls for his physical approach and is often the key passing influence from deep-lying areas.

According to WhoScored.com, only Rayo Vallecano's Roberto Trashorras and teammates Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano have averaged more than his 69.7 passes per game this season, and only Xavi and Real Madrid midfielders Toni Kroos and Asier Illarramendi have achieved a better rate of completion.

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And, as Squawka points out, he has contributed 38 interceptions in 24 Primera Division matches this term—a useful indicator of his positioning and general sense on the field of play.

Without him, it's likely Mascherano will advance from his current role in the back line to defensive midfield, and the knock-on effect could well be the restoration of Gerard Pique to a regular place in defense alongside one of Marc Bartra and Jeremy Mathieu.

None of the three have been especially spectacular in 2014-15, although none have been downright woeful, either. But with key matches coming thick and fast, at least two of them will have to rise to the occasion while Busquets is unavailable, and Barcelona's chances at major silverware could depend on their abilities to do so.

Trailing leaders Real Madrid by just two points in La Liga, they need to take maximum points from the winnable contests with Rayo and Eibar, after which they'll face Los Blancos in El Clasico.

It's absolutely crucial that Busquets is fit to face Madrid, which is why it's unlikely he'll be rushed back before the City encounter at the earliest.

Barcelona carry a 2-1 aggregate advantage into the second leg of their round-of-16 tie with the Premier League champions and should be able to earn progression without their No. 5 in the lineup. El Clasico, however, is another matter entirely, and the club's chances of regaining the title hinge on their winning it.

In other words, the length of Busquets absence—and the handling of it—will no doubt be a major factor in what Barcelona are able to achieve this season.