Soccer:Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has been diagnosed with a spinal disc hernia after he was admitted to hospital overnight suffering from acute lower back pain.
The 40-year-old was unable to attend his usual pre-match news conference on Tuesday because of the complaint and looked in pain during the champions' 1-0 win at Valencia last night.
The Catalan club, whose victory in Valencia extended their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points ahead of Real Madrid's match at home to Malaga later this evening, said Guardiola would be treated in hospital.
"Pep is not feeling great and he got through the match as best he could," Guardiola's assistant, Tito Vilanova, said after the game at the Mestalla. "He is having a bad time of it and he doesn't even know where to put himself."
Guardiola's back problem comes at a crucial time for the Spanish champions. They have away matches at Sevilla and Villarreal in coming weeks and will attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Arsenal in the Champions League next Tuesday.
