Due to an injury, Barcelona’s England defender Lucy Bronze will miss the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Chelsea.
On Saturday’s first leg, which Barca won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Caroline Graham Hansen, the 31-year-old hobbled off the pitch during the second half.
After having an arthroscopy on her right knee, Bronze will not be able to play in the return match at the Camp Nou on Thursday, the Catalan club has now stated in a statement on Twitter.
Bronze’s injury provides a fresh concern for England manager Sarina Wiegman, with both Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson set to miss this summer’s World Cup.
However, after Saturday’s game Barca manager Jonatan Giraldez provided an upbeat assessment of Bronze’s injury.
He said: “She felt something in her knee in the beginning.
“But in the end right now she’s fine. At the moment we made the substitution the feeling was bad, but right now the feeling she has is good.”
Bronze posted on Instagram that she was “in good spirits” following her operation.
She wrote: “In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday. It’s never easy being sidelined, but I’m as focused as ever to work hard and return to full fitness, hopefully as soon as possible.
“Thank you to everyone for all of your kind messages already! I couldn’t ask for better support, so thank you.
“The hard work has already started already can’t wait to be back on the pitch with this team. See you all very soon.”