What has been an issue bubbling under the Camp Nou surface has exploded into a full-blown crisis for Barcelona as Lionel Messi becomes the latest player ruled out with a muscle complaint.
A right thigh issue was reported last month but in the match with Atletico Madrid it was the left leg which suffered a tear to the adductor muscle to keep him out of action for three weeks.
That marks the sixth similar issue arising for the Blaugrana in the five weeks that have made up the season so far.
Andrés Iniesta
Three weeks was also the timeframe that Iniesta was forced to sit out, including the LaLiga opening round, thanks to a knee strain.
Jeremy Mathieu
A tear to his right hamstring ruled out the French defender for three weeks when defensive reinforcements were vital.
Javier Mascherano
The Argentine himself has only just recovered from a hamstring strain that kept him out for a week.
Marc-André Ter Stegen
Another knee-based complaint allowed Jasper Cillessen to make his Barcelona debut as ter Stegen sat out a week of action.
Samuel Umtiti
Picking up a knee injury last week means the centre-back is out indefinitely, leading to Javier Mascherano's return to the side against Atleti.
Jordi Alba
Yet to confirm whether a big issue or a precaution, Alba has sat out a few days of training.
