Barcelona is experiencing a difficult season, with their latest setback being the loss of Jan Vesely for eight to 10 weeks due to an osteochondral injury in the femur of his right knee. The player will undergo conservative treatment for the injury, which has been troubling him since the beginning of January.
This news comes at a crucial time, just before the Copa del Rey, although Vesely’s participation was already uncertain due to his recent absences from meetings. The team will now have to navigate about two months without their starting pivot, a period during which their Euroleague qualification hopes will be decided.
The team has been dealing with injuries to key players throughout the season, including Nico Laprovittola, who suffered a severe knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season. Barcelona signed Raulzinho Neto as a replacement, but he has also been plagued by injuries, managing only eight minutes of play. Chimezie Metu has been another player who has spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines.
As a result, coach Joan Peñarroya has had to rely on alternative options for the ‘5’ position, including Youssoupha Fall and Willy Hernangómez, although his confidence in them appears limited. Metu is another possibility for this role. With their options limited and the Euroleague market closure approaching, the team may be forced to look for reinforcements, including an interior player and a base, which they have been pursuing for weeks.