Barcelona’s Champions League hopes may have been dashed on Tuesday night, but there’s no time to dwell as all eyes turn to this weekend’s season-defining El Clasico.
Following their 4-3 aggregate defeat to Inter Milan in the semi-finals, the Catalan giants must now regroup for a high-stakes clash against Real Madrid at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Hansi Flick’s side sit four points clear at the top of La Liga, and a win on Sunday would leave them on the brink of reclaiming the domestic crown.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will see this as a must-win opportunity to close the gap to a single point and throw the title race wide open with just three games left.
Despite scoring 163 goals this season—the highest among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues—Barca have looked shaky at the back, conceding 66 goals, far above their xG against of 64.3.
Now, the good news for Flick is the timely return of one of his most explosive players: Alejandro Balde.
The Spanish international, who had been sidelined since 13 April with a hamstring injury, has rejoined group training and is expected to be fit for El Clasico, according to Spanish journalist Javier Miguel via AS.
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Alejandro Balde missed both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Inter, including Tuesday’s second leg, after failing to prove his fitness.
With 43 appearances this season, contributing one goal and ten assists, his absence forced Flick to reshuffle his defence, deploying Inigo Martinez and youngster Gerard Martin in unfamiliar roles.
Balde’s return is expected to restore balance to Barcelona’s defensive line, especially as he’ll likely be tasked with containing Real Madrid’s Rodrygo on the left flank.
His pace and overlapping ability could be crucial in both shutting down attacks and supporting the forwards in transition.
Sunday’s result could well determine the fate of the La Liga title, and the return of Balde may prove a decisive factor in Barcelona’s final push.
After El Clasico, Barca will close out their campaign against Espanyol, Villarreal and Athletic Club—matches they’ll hope to enter with a psychological edge and points cushion.
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