Barcelona 22-year-old defender could be called up vs Elche after training with first team | OneFootball

Earlier today, FC Barcelona completed their final preparations for tomorrow’s match against Elche at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

As usual, manager Hansi Flick opted to call up a few players from the reserve ranks to train with the senior setup, with Xavi Espart being one of them.

Mamadou Mbacke trains with senior team, could be called up tomorrow

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick also called up Mamadou Mbacke from Barça Atletic to take part in training ahead of the match against Elche.

Due to the absence of Andreas Christensen and the condition of Pau Cubarsi, who did not train with the group earlier in the week, Flick decided to include the 22-year-old Mbacke in preparations.

The Senegalese centre-back started the season with an injury and missed a few matches before returning and starting three games in a row.

Mamadou Mbacke trained with the senior team today. (Picture credit: Barcelona official website)

Another injury sidelined him for a short period, and the centre-half only came back last week.

Mbacke’s call-up to training today opens the door to a possible inclusion in the first-team squad list against Elche.

The 22-year-old is a powerful centre-back with significant physical presence, who has already trained with the first team on several occasions.

Signed from Los Angeles FC in 2023, initially on loan before making the transfer permanent last year, he has made 51 appearances for Barça Atletic, even scoring a couple of goals.

It will be interesting to see if Flick does end up naming Mbacke in the squad list for tomorrow’s home game against Elche.