Barcelona's Javier Mascherano: Misses opener with Hamstring injury

Mascherano has been ruled out for the season opener versus Real Betis on Saturday, Marca reports.

Analysis:

Mascherano played the full 90 minutes in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup tie versus Sevilla. However, he's obviously picked up a knock from the game that will rule him out for about a week. With the international break coming in two weeks he may well be spared for the fixture on 28 Aug also. In his absence Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti will probably anchor Barca's defense.