Barcelona have received a major boost ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico against Real Madrid with the return of one of their key players from injury.
Hansi Flick has been dealing with a lengthy injury list ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s UEFA Champions League clash with Olympiacos, with seven players on the treatment table in the buildup.
But the German coach was able to welcome Ferran Torres back into the matchday squad for the midweek match.
Torres was a doubt to feature after leaving the Spain camp early with a hamstring complaint, forcing him out of last weekend’s win over Girona. The wide forward missed Monday morning’s training session, but was named on the bench to face Olympiacos.
However, Barça were dealt a setback as Andreas Christensen has been left out of the squad due to an apparent illness. The Danish centre-back could make a recovery in time for El Clasico, though.
Christensen joins Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the list of absentees.
Barcelona did, though, welcome back starlet Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez back into the side against Girona, with both men starting against Olympiacos.
Yamal had been sidelined by a groin problem he sustained while on international duty with Spain in September. Fermin also missed a month of action while recovering from a thigh injury he sustained against Getafe.
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong was surprisingly named on the bench by Flick, who instead picked a midfield two of Marc Casado and Pedri.
Barcelona face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this Sunday, 26th October, with kickoff scheduled for 3.15pm BST.
