Ferran Torres set to miss Catalan derby after undergoing appendicitis surgery

Last minute setback for Hansi Flick. Ferran Torres, who was expected to start in the Catalan derby, will miss the match against Espanyol after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis on Wednesday at a hospital in Barcelona.

The Valencian was playing a leading role in Barca, as he seized the starting role following Robert Lewandowski's injury against Celta. In this type of intervention, the most normal is a period of absence of between two and four weeks, so it is normal that he has said goodbye to the remainder of the season.

Ferran, who provided three assists in the 'Clasico', has scored 19 goals and 7 assists in 45 games in all competitions this season. His next goal is to be available for the 'Final Four' of the Nations League with the Spanish national team. The first match will be on June 5th against France and the hypothetical final would be on June 8th.

The absence of the Spanish winger opens a place in the starting eleven to Lewandowski, who is in need of goals because Mbappe has overcome him in the race for La Liga top scorer. The Pole, who has not scored in league for a month and a half, has a three-goal deficit with the Real Madrid star. However, Flick could opt to play with Dani Olmo as a false No 9.