Two days before the highly anticipated match between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao at the “Spotify Camp Nou,” coach Hans Flick was able to lead the first full training session, after the return of the international players.
In contrast, English striker “Marcus Rashford” missed the group training, despite being in the sports city on Wednesday, according to the newspaper “Mundo Deportivo.”
“Pedri” continues to train individually, while “Lamine Yamal,” the young talent, is undergoing a special preventive program during his recovery period. In contrast, “Raphinha” completed his third consecutive training session with the group, and he is expected to be ready to participate in the match.
Four key players from Barcelona’s reserve team also participated in the training, namely: “Goffre Torrent,” “Dro,” “Toni Fernandez,” and “Cochen,” in addition to “Dani Rodriguez,” “Thomas Marquis,” and “Guillem Victor.”
“Mundo Deportivo” suggests that “Thomas Marquis” and “Guillem Victor” will join the squad called up for the match if Flick sees fit. “Tommy” (Thomas Marquis) is a midfielder with high physical skills, who usually plays as a pivot player, but has also played as an “inside player.” As for “Guillem Victor,” he is the brother of (the player) Pau and is characterized by diverse skills. Despite being called up to strengthen the options for the right-back position, he has also played as a left winger.
Barcelona is currently in second place in the Spanish league standings with 28 points after 12 matches, during which they achieved 9 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. The team scored 32 goals and conceded 15 goals, and is 3 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
After the Bilbao match in the Spanish League, Barcelona will travel to face Chelsea in the Champions League at “Stamford Bridge” next Tuesday.
Ter Stegen’s Future
Barcelona is awaiting the latest developments regarding the situation of goalkeeper “Marc-Andre ter Stegen.” Despite rumors circulating about the interest of several clubs in the German goalkeeper, the Catalan club has not yet received any official offer.
This includes Besiktas, despite a report by the newspaper “Fanatik” that stated that the Turkish club had already contacted Barcelona to request the player on loan – with his salary paid – and include a purchase option worth eight million euros at the end of the season.
With Juan Garcia’s return, he will return to the starting lineup on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao after two months of absence. With Szczesny retaining the second goalkeeper position, Ter Stegen, who is still absent after undergoing back surgery last July, will have to find a way out in January.
At the moment, Barcelona hopes that the German goalkeeper will fully recover from the injury. Once he returns to training, the club expects the club’s management to receive calls from clubs interested in negotiating about him.
The player’s agents, in coordination with his agent, have also begun to take proactive steps, realizing “Marc’s” desire to participate in the World Cup scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, and that his coach, “Julian Nagelsmann,” has made it clear to him that he will not play regularly with the German national team unless he plays regularly with a club.
Hence the urgent need to determine his future, even before obtaining medical clearance to return, which may be issued within a month.
Copa del Rey Final Chaos
On another level, the Spanish Football Federation and the Seville City Council have been in talks since last Monday, after the “La Cartuja” stadium was chosen to host the next three Spanish King’s Cup finals.
The reason for these talks, according to the newspaper “Marca,” is the cup final match for this season, which was originally scheduled for April 25, which coincides with Saturday of the “Seville Fair.”
The logistical problems related to transportation, accommodation and security measures that the coincidence of two events of this magnitude will cause, in addition to the Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle race being held on the same weekend at the “Jerez Angel Nieto” circuit, which affects the availability of accommodation and transportation, necessitate the search for alternative solutions, including the possibility of changing the date of the Cup final.
For the “La Cartuja” stadium, this season’s final will be the seventh consecutive time it has hosted the title match in the “Knockout Championship.” The agreement with the Spanish Football Federation extends for three years, and when it is completed, the stadium will host nine consecutive Cup finals, and ten finals in Seville, after the “Benito Villamarin” stadium hosted the final of the (2017-2018) season. The coincidence of the date with the Seville Fair this year may lead to a change in the initial plans of the Spanish Football Federation.
