Barcelona training update ahead of El Clasico – key player works normally, academy ace called up again | OneFootball

FC Barcelona held their final training session on Saturday ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Blaugrana will be gunning for a victory against their arch-rivals, which will take them to the top of the standings in La Liga.

Leading up to the match, all eyes have been on Jules Kounde and whether he will be fit or not, after having missed the last couple of training sessions due to a knock.

Kounde trains normally with the group

But in a major relief, Mundo Deportivo reports that Kounde, who was absent from group training yesterday and the day before, took part in Saturday’s session without any apparent issues.

The French defender had trained separately the previous day, working individually in the gym, but this time he joined the rest of the squad on the pitch.

A final call on his inclusion in the squad for the trip to Madrid will be made once the session is over, based on his feelings and whether the discomfort has eased up or not.

Raphinha, meanwhile, did not take part in the session, even though he was at the Ciutat Esportiva, as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Xavi Espart called up again

Espart trained with the first team again. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, as has been the norm since the international break earlier this month, Hansi Flick once again called up Xavi Espart to first-team training today.

The right-back has featured in the squad lists against Girona and Olympiacos and could be included again, especially with Kounde’s fitness under the scanner.

Espart joined the academy regulars like Dro, Toni Fernandez, and Jofre Torrents in training, along with backup goalkeepers Diego Kochen and Eder Aller.

Barcelona go into the game with a long list of injuries as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all out.