Barcelona claimed a morale-boosting win over Alaves on Saturday, winning by two goals for the third time since September. The only sour note was a sending off for Vitor Roque, who received a second booking after a challenge from Rafa Marin.
Roque was sent off as a result in a controversial game, where Marin dives into his feet with his studs showing, but receives the ball before Roque. The Brazilian's studs made contact with Marin as he slid, and he was given a second yellow, which was greeted with stunned expressions by Xavi Hernandez, Roque and the rest of his teammates.
Barcelona they appealed the second yellow card, which was given to Roque for “making contact with the opposition player's leg in a careless manner”. MD say that Barcelona will try to use video footage to try and prove that he did not contact Marin.
🚨 Ter Stegen has recovered perfectly and is aiming to start against Granada. @AdriaAlbets
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) February 6, 2024
The chances are slim that it will be overturned, and the only way to do this is to show that there is a material error in the referee's decision, that is, an error in the actual signaling of the fault. It happened earlier this season, when Cadiz showed that Javier Hernandez did not bring down an opposition player recklessly, but the footage had to be crystal clear.
This is a concern for Xavi as he only has fit Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in his top line at the moment as the injured Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Joao Felix. There is a chance that the Brazilian could return, but the next man is also injured.
Striker Marc Guiu suffered an injury against Logrono for Barca Atletic on Sunday, feeling a strain in his thigh. After the tests, Sport say that Guiu is likely to miss a week with the muscle injury. It could see Barca Atletic players Unai Hernandez or Pau Victor named in the squad for Barcelona's home game with Granada, although MD says Guiu could be ready just in time for that clash.
The positive news is that Marc-Andre ter Stegen looks like he is ready to go again after almost three months out with injury, and Joao Cancelo, who was also struggling with discomfort in the Alaves match, also seems to have the purpose of returning. against Los Nazaries. Barcelona now have two rare midweeks without a game, before returning to Champions League action against Napoli. If Guiu and Roque miss out, Xavi may consider using Cancelo or Fermin Lopez further forward.
