Barcelona in final but Villa fractures leg
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Shanghai Daily, December 16, 2011
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FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi (R) shoots the ball past Al-Sadd SC captain Abdulla Koni (C) during the FIFA Club World Cup semi final match at Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, on Dec.15, 2011. |
Barcelona forward David Villa broke his left leg during his side's 4-0 Club World Cup semifinal victory over Al Sadd of Qatar in Japan yesterday.
"David has fractured his leg and will return to Barcelona for an operation as soon as possible," Barca coach Pep Guardiola told reporters.
"We are all very sad for him. He's a charming personality and it's a massive blow for the team," added Guardiola after the European champion set up a final against Brazil's Santos.
Villa, Spain's all-time top scorer with 50 goals in 81 appearances for his country, fell awkwardly in the first half and immediately signalled to the bench before being rushed to a local hospital in Yokohama.
"He will be out for a long time," confirmed Guardiola. "I don't know how long but it takes a long time to return after a break like this.
"All the players are very worried about David. We hope he will return as soon as possible. Our thoughts are with him and we will have to win the Club World Cup without him."
Spanish and European champion Barcelona said it was the first injury Villa had sustained since joining the club from Valencia last year.
The news is a major setback for Guardiola as his side pursues titles in the Club World Cup, La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey this season.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will also be concerned as Villa is the country's leading striker looking ahead to the defence of its title at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
Brazilian defender Adriano scored twice for Barcelona in an embarrassingly one-sided contest against the Qataris. Barca took the lead in comical fashion after 25 minutes, Pedro's cross bobbling off Al Sadd defender Nadir Belhadj and goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr's panicked clearance crashing off Adriano's shin into the back of the net.
Adriano scored his second two minutes before halftime, latching on to a pass from Thiago Alcantara to drive a powerful left-foot shot into the bottom corner. Seydou Keita flicked home Barca's third in the 64th minute and substitute Maxwell added the fourth in the 81st minute.
