KIKE BARJA NEWS

Fit for bench Barja (undisclosed) is on the bench for Monday's match against Mallorca.

Impact Barja is back on the team sheet after being forced off in the club's last contest, appearing to only be dealing with minor issues after making the bench. That said, he is probably still feeling some of the injury and is being limited, as he did start in their last two matches. However, he will hope to see the start again after testing his legs, as he has started in three of his past five appearances on the team sheet.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off Thursday Barja was forced off with an apparent injury during Thursday's Copa del Rey clash with Sociedad.

Impact Barja was forced off the pitch Thursday due to an injury, another frustrating setback for the winger. Barja had just returned to the starting XI in recent weeks after starting the season with a lengthy spell on the sideline, and will be a heavy doubt for Monday's trip to Mallorca. Jorge Herrando came on to replace him.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Makes bench Sunday Barja (strain) is in the squad to face Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Impact Barja returns after picking up a knock in training ahead of La Liga's return to action. The attacker has started just once this season as a depth option at the club.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Trains partially Wednesday Barja (strain) participated partially to the training session on Wednesday, the club announced.

Impact Barja is still questionable for Sunday's match against Atletico Madrid after only participating in a partial training session on Wednesday. He will likely be a late decision before the game. Barja missed the start of the season and has played a total of 68 minutes in the last three La Liga matches, starting the most recent one. Ruben Garcia has been the primary starter in his position during his absence.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Withdrawn from training Barja was withdrawn from training Tuesday due to muscle discomfort in his thigh, according to his club.

Impact Barja is looking to be questionable for next Sunday's match against Atletico, with the midfielder suffering a strain in training. Luckily for the player, he will have until Jan. 12 to heal, giving him a decent amount of time to recover. He will hope the issues are only minor, as he has already missed 12 games this season through injury.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first start Barja registered one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Athletic.

Impact In what marked his third appearance of the campaign, Barja picked up his first start and saw a high of 57 minutes of playing time. Additionally, he registered his first shot on target and first tackle won. He also picked up an interception for a second consecutive outing.

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench Barja (knee) went unused off the bench in Sunday's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Barja returned to the team sheet for the first time this season after tearing his ACL last March. However, the attacker went unused, not seeing any time in his return to play. That said, he will hope to see the field soon, likely seeing more of a rotational role after only starting in three of his 16 appearances last campaign.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes squad list Barja (knee) is on the squad list for Wednesday's Copa del Ray match against Chiclana.

Impact Barja looks to be in for a return after a long absence on the sideline, with the attacker having yet to make his debut. He has been named to the squad list for the match, although he has not been directly cleared for play yet. That said, expect him to face a late fitness test, likely serving off the bench if fit.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Trains with group Barja (knee) has rejoined team training, according to his club.

Impact Barja has seen a huge improvement in his status, with the attacker returning to training with the group this week. He has not played since March due to ACL surgery and will likely still need plenty more time to recover his fitness, probably not returning until October.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Training individually Barja (knee) has started to train individually, according to his club.

Impact Barja isn't expected to return for some time but is taking steps in the right direction, as he has started to get some work in individually. This is good news for the player who has been out since March due to a torn ACL. He still probably won't return until sometime in November, possibly shortening that gap if everything goes to plan.

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Begins light work Barja (knee) is with Osasuna for preseason as he begins light work alone on the grass.

Impact Barja is back with Osasuna to begin his road to recovery again following ACL surgery in March. The midfielder still has a long way to go, though it's a good sign to see him on the grass with minimal discomfort.

JULY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Finally training Barja (knee) was introduced to individual training Wednesday.

Impact Barja is finally back on the training pitch following his surgery after tearing his ACL, having begun to train individually. This is great news for the attacker as he attempts to make his return. However, he most likely still won't be an option for the rest of the season, just working to be fit for the next campaign.

MAY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tears ACL Barja suffered a torn ACL during Monday's 1-0 win against Alaves and is set to miss the rest of the season, the team confirmed.

Impact Barja feared the worse after coming off in the 15 minute Monday with a serious knee injury that ended up his ACL. He will have a long road to recovery and he is also set to miss part of the 2024/25 season. The midfielder recorded just three starts in 16 appearances, generating 23 crosses (four accurate), six tackles (two won) and five chances created.

MARCH 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Injury deemed serious Barja (undisclosed) looks to be in jeopardy of holding a serious injury and missing time, as manager Jagoba Arrasate told reporters, "We are very worried about Kike Barja. We have...

Impact Barja's situation does not look to be good, as even before receiving scans, the club is already worried about a severe injury. This comes after the attacker was forced off the field just 15 minutes into Monday's match against Alaves. Luckily for the team, it shouldn't be the biggest issue if he misses time, as the defender has only started three times in his 16 appearances, notching 293 minutes of play this season. The club will now hold their breath as they wait on his results, hoping that the injury is not as serious as it looks because if it is serious, he probably won't return this season with only three months left in the campaign.

MARCH 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off early Barja was forced off with an apparent injury during the first half of Monday's clash with Alaves.

Impact Barja made it just 15 minutes before being forced off the pitch in favor of Moi Gomez. Gomez has largely been the starting option so moving forward he would likely have taken the top job back, even if the injury to Barja doesn't prove to be a serious one.

MARCH 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Thursday Barja (hamstring) is on the bench for Thursday's match against Mallorca.

Impact Barja is making his return to the team sheet after spending the club's past four matches on the sidelines dealing with a hamstring injury. The attacker has only started twice all season in his 10 appearances, so expect him to remain in a bench role moving forward, most likely getting some amount of time on the pitch each match.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in training Barja (hamstring) completed his second consecutive training session with no setbacks and could be an option to play Thursday at Mallorca.

Impact Barja has missed five games in a row due to a nagging hamstring injury, but the fact that he's been back in training over the last few days is certainly positive. The winger might be an option Thursday, but given he hasn't played since Nov. 11, there's a strong chance he starts the game against Mallorca, if available, as a bench alternative.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not an option for Rayo match Barja (hamstring) was not on the squad list and is not an option for Friday's match against Rayo.

Impact Barja is going to be missing his fourth straight match, having yet to recover from a hamstring injury. The midfielder was integrated into partial team training this week, so his return shouldn't be far. He has only served as a bench option for most of the season, registering only two starts, so his absence will not cause any change in the starting XI.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Integrated into partial team training Barja (hamstring) returned to partial team training on Wednesday, ahead of the club's match against Rayo on Friday.

Impact Barja was upgraded from individual training to partial team training on Wednesday as he continues his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. He seems to be nearing a return, possibly getting the nod against Rayo. If he does get that opportunity, he will most likely be on the bench, only starting twice all season.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Trains individually Barja (hamstring) was training individually Tuesday.

Impact Barja has yet returned to full training as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. He has only started two of the 10 matches played thus far, limiting to just a bench role for the team.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hamstring injury confirmed Barja has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury, the club confirmed Friday.

Impact The speedy forward couldn't complete Thursday's training session and was forced to leave midway through the exercises due to this injury, and now the worst-case scenario has been confirmed. Hamstring injuries are often tricky and hard to predict, but Barja should miss between two to three weeks at a minimum.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up injury Thursday Barja didn't finish Thursday's training session after picking up a muscular injury and should be doubtful to face Villarreal on Sunday.

Impact The severity of the injury is unknown and it remains to be seen whether Barja will recover in time to play this weekend, but that's a long shot at this point given the match against Villarreal is only three days away. Barja has struggled to make an impact in 2023-24, starting in just two of his 10 appearances and failing to record a goal or an assist so far.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up goal Sunday Kike Barja assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Girona.

Impact Kike Barja was active on the right wing all game long, and one of his blistering runs ended up in the opening strike when he set up Ante Budimir with a low cross, allowing the Croatian to score from close range. Barja was inconsistent with his numbers at times this season, but he provided a spark upfront, and his pace often caused problems for opposing defenses. He ended the 2022-23 campaign with six assists and one goal across 27 appearances (15 starts).

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Substituted in victory Barja generated one shot (zero on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Thursday's 2-0 win against Athletic.

Impact Barja recorded the most crosses in his team (4). He also had one shot, one key pass and one tackle. He has one goal and five assists this season in 25 games and averages 1.1 key passes and 0.6 shots per game.

MAY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two assists in win Barja registered two assists in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Real Betis.

Impact Barja was starting his fifth consecutive game and assisted two Ante Budimir's goals which both came within the first 11 minutes. The midfielder was starting his fifth consecutive game and has three assists in his last three. With five in total this season, he has two more than he has managed in any previous season.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE