27-year-old Barcelona star trains normally after Elche knock, minutes vs Albacete undecided | OneFootball

FC Barcelona turn their attention to the Copa del Rey after their La Liga victory over Elche, with an away quarter-final clash against Albacete awaiting Hansi Flick’s side. It is a fixture that carries clear danger, especially after Albacete stunned Real Madrid in the previous round to book their place.

Ahead of the trip, squad fitness has been a key concern for Flick. The German coach has received mixed news following the final training session.

Brazilian winger Raphinha will miss the encounter after the club confirmed he is suffering from an overload in the adductor of his right leg. The forward was withdrawn at halftime against Elche as a precaution and did not train with the group.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, there was more positive news regarding Jules Kounde. The French defender trained normally with the squad and showed no apparent issues after being forced off during the Elche match with visible discomfort.

His availability is a boost for Flick, who had been waiting to assess whether the defender would be fit in time for the Cup tie.

Despite Kounde’s return to full training, Flick may still choose to manage his minutes and opt for rotation. Joao Cancelo is a strong option to start at right back if the French defender is rested.

Furthermore, Barcelona will also travel without Pedri, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen, who remain sidelined as they continue their respective recovery processes away from the group.

With the fixture list piling up and the season moving into a decisive stretch, Hansi Flick is expected to strike a careful balance between strength and rotation when naming his starting eleven.

The Copa del Rey leaves no room for error, and with elimination decided in a single match, the Barcelona coach will want experience and control on the pitch while still managing player workloads. How Flick ultimately shapes his lineup for this crucial knockout tie remains to be seen.