Barcelona's first XI has been badly hit by injuries this season

Christmas has not yet arrived and Luis Enrique has already been proved right. The caoch wanted sive or six players to pad out his squad and the number of injuries suffered so far show just why. 

Without going further, only two of the usual first team - Neymar and Luis Suarez - have not been injured this season. The rest have suffered at one time or another. There are currently five in the treatment room - Cillessen, Pique, Alba, Iniesta, Arda and Rafinha.

Ter Stegen has been injured twice, missing two games, while Sergi Roberto missed a game too. It was not too serious but given Luis Enrique does not count on Aleix Vidal, Barcelona suffered.

Jordi Alba has had the worst luck. He missed various pre-season games with a muscle problem and then stomach issues, before getting injured again against Italy with Spain, then during Barcelona vs Man City.

Pique is currently out for a three week spell with ankle problems while Mascherano went injured in the second game of the season. 

Umtiti has just returened from a knee injury, while Busquets can consider himself lucky in midfield to have only suffered fom the flu, although it forced him to be taken off in Barcelona vs Atletico. 

Rakitic did not play against Celta Vigo for Achilles pain, while Andres Iniesta is the latest to be ruled out, for up to eight weeks with knee ligament damage. 

Messi missed a month with adductor issues while also getting injured earlier in September with Argentina.