Jordi Alba sidelined due to positive COVID-19 test result

The Catalans announced that their left-back has contracted the Coronavirus, making it improbable that he would be able to go to Mallorca for Barcelona's next

match on January 2. 

The 32-year-old is the third Barcelona defender to be shelved by COVID-19, following his fellow teammates 

Dani Alves

and 

Clement Lenglet

. 

Blaugrana's official statement read:

"First-team player Jordi Alba has tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of Tuesday afternoon's training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper from 6 pm CET.

"The player is in good health and self-isolating at home. The club has reported the case to the relevant authorities.

"He joins Clement Lenglet and Dani Alves on the sidelines, who also tested positive for COVID-19."

Xavi must now ponder how to supplant Alba in the lineup as he attempts to lead Barcelona out of the seventh position and into the

places, with Rayo Vallecano two points higher of them in fourth. 

Only Sergio Busquets, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Memphis Depay, and Frenkie de Jong have played more minutes in all tournaments than Alba, demonstrating his significance to the squad.

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