An unforeseen event in the form of a virus has completely disrupted Barça's plans in the United States: a "viral gastroenteritis", according to the club's official statement, has prevented Barça from facing Juventus, in the match that was to be played this morning (peninsular time) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara against Juventus.
Koundé was the first player to have symptoms of gastroenteritis: the virus spread rapidly, affecting at least twelve players (which could be more). The Frenchman was also unable to train in Barça's first session in the US.
Club sources say that the disease that affects the squad is of viral origin and that it does not come from any food in poor condition.
Among those affected, according to the first information, are Balde, who could no longer train on Friday, Eric Garcia and the club's latest signing, Oriol Romeu.
The players have been affected progressively: Barça had planned to travel today to the scene of the match, by plane, but the number of players who had to ask for medical help forced to cancel the trip.
Xavi is not among those affected, but some of his assistants are.
Some members of the board, who were already at the airport to travel to Santa Clara, had to return to the Barça hotel.
Match cancelled and no new date
The match against Juventus is canceled and will not be played on another date: the club tried to reschedule it to be able to play it 24 hours later, in the same scenario, but the physical condition of the players means that it is not possible to prepare a match in these conditions.
Barça is confident of being able to play next Thursday's match (early morning in Spain) against Arsenal normally.
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