Barca suffer Pique, Alba double injury blow

Barcelona were forced into two substitutions in the first half of their blockbuster Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday as Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique hobbled off injured.

Alba had been rushed back from a hamstring injury, but lasted just 10 minutes before making way for Lucas Digne.

Pique rolled his ankle when challenged by Spanish international teammate David Silva just before the half-hour mark and was eventually replaced by Jeremy Mathieu.

Lionel Messi made the most of a huge error by Fernandinho to give Barca a 1-0 half-time lead on City boss Pep Guardiola’s return to the club with whom he won 30 trophies as a player and coach.