In a major setback for FC Barcelona, Marc-André ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury during Sunday’s match against Villarreal, which is expected to keep him sidelined for seven to eight

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick insists his team can cope with an increased workload and that he will make no excuses despite having to deal with a lengthy injury list but has joined a growing list of high-profile footballing names calling on UEFA and FIFA to make alterations to a packed schedule.

Barcelona went all out against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday, scoring five goals past the hosts in what was their third successive rout in La Liga. Hansi Flick’s men were ruthless in the second half and created a staggering eight big chances in the 90 minutes.