Barcelona held a training session ahead of the upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. Three players — Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernat, and Andreas Christensen — missed the session due to injuries.
De Jong is in the final stages of recovery from a right hamstring injury sustained on February 26, with an expected total recovery time of five to six weeks. The club anticipates his return for the Espanyol derby and hopes to utilize him in the decisive second leg against Atletico at Wembley.
Marc Bernat is still sidelined with a left ankle sprain suffered in the recent match against Atletico, and Christensen continues rehabilitation after a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo trained fully after recovering from a minor muscle strain in his left thigh, confirming his availability for the first leg against Atletico.
The training included players from the reserve team, while Brazilian winger Raphinha continues his recovery from a right leg biceps femoris injury at the club's facilities.
From an analytical perspective, missing De Jong and Christensen limits tactical flexibility and depth for coach Hansi Flick in the immediate term. However, Araujo’s return strengthens the defensive line, a crucial factor against Atletico's physical style of play. Additionally, De Jong’s expected comeback will give Barcelona more options in midfield for the upcoming decisive fixtures.
In summary, Barcelona’s preparation for the Atletico match proceeds as planned despite injury setbacks, offering cautious optimism for their Champions League ambitions.
