"It may hurt", said Xavi about the player who could miss the game vs Real Madrid

This Sunday Barcelona will play again after the international break. For La Liga they will face Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys in Montjuic, looking for a victory that will allow them to get closer to the top of the standings. At the moment that place belongs to Real Madrid with 24 points, while Girona has 22 and Los Blaugranas 21.

It will be a key week for the Catalan side. In addition to this Sunday's match, they will have an important challenge next Wednesday in Champions League group H against Shakhtar Donetsk. And the following weekend they will play the first 'Clasico' of the season against Real Madrid.

This Friday Xavi Hernandez gave a press conference in which he spoke about his team and analyzed the match against Athletic Bilbao: "It will be a difficult match, they are a physically strong and well-endowed team, brave. Valverde likes to press high and they have started the season very well, we have important casualties, but that is no excuse".

He was then asked about the number of injured players in the squad, such as Sergi Roberto, Jules Koundé, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski: "The calendar and bad luck affected us at times. We had two ankle injuries in fortuitous plays, one in the knee when Gavi fell on top of Kounde. The players' feelings will tell us when they can come back, we are not going to force anyone".

Will he be able to play in the 'Clasico'?

Xavi Hernández then spoke specifically about Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker suffered an ankle injury in the match against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 and no one can be sure that he will recover in time to face Real Madrid. Of him, the coach said: "He is rehabbing and has a very good feeling. He's going forward. He wants to play, he is a marvel, he is a great leader, even though it may hurt. He wants to be there and every day it hurts less and less".