Barcelona look to recover injured players as they prepare for Athletic Club clash – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had a rare opportunity to rest with the November international break. Although many players have been called up for international duty, those who remain at the club have had the chance to reset.

The club is now set to return to training today ahead of the Athletic Club clash this weekend. For Hansi Flick, the focus is on having the squad ready and mentally prepared to face the Basque club, at the Camp Nou.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are looking to recover their injured players ahead of the game against Bilbao. Lamine Yamal, who was rested from Spain duty as a precaution, and Joan Garcia, who has been training normally for a few days now, are expected to make the cut.

The club’s focus is currently on Raphinha and Marc Casado. The Brazilian is in the final stage of his recovery after a long absence, and if he trains normally over the next few days, he should make the squad list against Bilbao.

Casado, on the other hand, had to pull out of the starting XI against Celta Vigo at the last minute after tweaking a muscle, and attention remains on how he pulls through in the coming days. The Spaniard, in particular, is very important to Flick.

Frenkie de Jong is suspended for the game against Ernesto Valverde’s side, and Pedri is unlikely to make it back in time. If Casado is also ruled out, it leaves Flick without any pivots except Marc Bernal, who has not started a single game so far.

Thus, of all the players, the German manager will be hoping that Casado can train comfortably in the coming days. It remains to be seen how this develops.