Following their midweek Copa del Rey elimination against Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona will lock horns with Athletic Club later tonight at San Mames in matchday 27 of La Liga.
The Blaugrana will be gunning for a victory in order to restore their four-point lead at the top of the table after Real Madrid reduced the gap with a win over Celta Vigo on Friday night.
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Barça go into the game with several important absentees, as Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen have been joined by Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde in the infirmary.
With the final phase of the season on the horizon, Barcelona will need every player available as they chase two trophies.
Marc Bernal at risk of suspension
As such, Marc Bernal will need to be careful on the disciplinary side of things if he plays tonight at San Mames against Athletic Club.
The 18-year-old midfield wonderkid has been in sensational form of late, scoring twice in the game vs Atletico Madrid, helping Barcelona almost pull off the improbable.
Bernal has been in top form of late. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
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However, heading into tonight’s league game, Bernal is on four yellow cards, meaning another caution will take that tally to five and earn him an automatic one-match suspension for accumulation of cards.
It would lead to the La Masia midfield ace missing the next La Liga game against Sevilla, which will be a major blow for Barcelona, especially with Frenkie de Jong not returning to action for a few more weeks.
After a slow start to the season following his return from ACL injury, Bernal has grown in stature in the team in recent weeks.
So far, he has made 22 appearances across all competitions, scoring four and assisting one goal in the process.
Meanwhile, De Jong and Kounde, too, are on four yellow cards in La Liga, but will not be in action tonight due to injuries.
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