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Spain's Xavi to miss Italy friendly with pulled muscle
Aug 8, 2011, 13:09 GMT
Madrid - The Spanish football federation said on Monday that Barcelona playmaker Xavi will miss Wednesday's high-profile friendly away to Italy.
Xavi, 31, has a pulled soleus muscle in his right leg, and will return to Barcelona from Madrid later on Monday.
He is Spain's second injury absentee for the friendly in Bari, after Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
Xavi might miss the August 17 Spanish Super Cup clash away to Real Madrid. He was out for several matches in the first half of last season with a serious injury, though his fitness did improve from winter onwards and he guided Barca to the Champions League and La Liga titles.
Barca's other injury victims at the moment are captain Carles Puyol, left-back Maxwell and reserve striker Jonathan Soriano.
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