Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that Ilkay Gundogan only picked up "a knock on his back" during Saturday's La Liga contest with Alaves.
The Catalan outfit were without the services of eight players for the clash against the Basque outfit, with Ferran Torres, Joao Felix, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Marcos Alonso and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all unavailable for selection.
Inigo Martinez did make his return from a muscular issue as a late substitute, though, with the Spaniard providing the team with a much-needed fitness boost.
There were concerns surrounding Gundogan when he was forced off in the 59th minute of Barcelona's 3-1 victory.
However, Xavi has said that the Germany international only suffered "a knock" and insisted that there were "no injuries" despite Joao Cancelo also being substituted at the interval as a precaution.
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Robert Lewandowski sent Barcelona ahead in the 22nd minute of Saturday's game before Gundogan doubled their advantage in the 49th minute; Samu Omorodion halved the deficit in the 51st minute, but Vitor Roque then added a third for the visitors before being sent off nine minutes later.
"There are no injuries today. Gundogan had a knock on his back, but it was nothing," Xavi told reporters as he calmed the injury fears surrounding the midfielder.
"I replaced Pedri because he was tired. I've brought in Fermin [Lopez] to provide a little more legs to the team."
Andreas Christensen was used in midfield on Saturday, and Xavi hailed the Denmark international's performance in the unfamiliar position.
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"I'm happy with Christensen. He will give us discipline there, but because of his technical ability, he can play in the pivot position," said the manager.
"Christensen's position gives us a lot of balance because he has the skill of controlling the ball, but you notice that he excels in defence and this helps us in monitoring.
"I liked Christensen in the pivot position. With the ball, he can be very smooth, and he told me that he is comfortable, and this is an option that we are considering.
"Winning is always positive and there are two victories after my decision to leave. I already said that it was necessary, and here is the team's reaction. Today, finally, we have been more effective. The team has fought. We have been good with and without the ball. It was a good game that strengthened us."
Barcelona are now third in the La Liga table, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, who will play their game in hand against Atletico Madrid on Sunday night.
Matt Law
