Alejandro Balde suffered a distal biceps femoris injury in his left thigh during the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Atlético Madrid. Despite the team's strong performance, Barcelona failed to overturn a 4-0 deficit from the first leg. More concerning than the comeback attempt were the injuries to Balde and Jules Koundé.
Balde has made significant progress and recently participated in high-intensity ball drills on the training field, indicating a smooth recovery on schedule. He is expected to return approximately four weeks after the injury, coinciding with Barcelona’s post-international break fixtures. Interestingly, Balde could feature again against Atlético Madrid on April 4 at the Metropolitano.
Koundé’s injury is more uncertain. His medical update indicated a lesion in the middle third of his left thigh biceps femoris, with no definitive recovery timeline set. He continues rehabilitation in the gym without field involvement.
Éric Garcia, who was substituted during the Champions League round of 16 match against Newcastle due to a muscle overload, is recovering well and is expected to return after the international break without any complications.
These recoveries are critical ahead of a demanding final stretch for Barcelona, including the Champions League quarterfinals against Atlético and key La Liga clashes. Strengthening the defense with returning players like Balde is crucial for maintaining the team’s four-point lead in the league and competing on multiple fronts.
Overall, Balde’s promising recovery offers a timely boost to Barcelona’s backline when it matters most. His return could stabilize the left side of defense, significantly benefiting the squad’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions.
