Barcelona’s dressing room has been buzzing with renewed optimism this week as the squad begins to regroup after their narrow El Clasico defeat.
Hansi Flick’s men are eager to bounce back quickly, with their focus now locked on this weekend’s La Liga fixture against Elche.
The Catalan giants have faced a demanding run of fixtures in recent weeks, testing the depth of their squad, especially following injuries to several key players.
Yet, just when the mood seemed uncertain, the latest updates from the training ground have brought a wave of positivity across Camp Nou.
Reports suggest that Barcelona could welcome back two crucial players much sooner than anticipated, a timely boost as Flick seeks to restore stability ahead of another intense period in their campaign.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the club’s summer signing Joan Garcia could make a surprise return to the squad, defying initial expectations following his knee injury.
The goalkeeper, who joined from Espanyol, suffered a tear in the internal meniscus of his left knee during a match against Real Oviedo in September.
After undergoing surgery on September 27, his recovery was expected to take four to six weeks, but recent developments suggest he may rejoin full training earlier than scheduled.
Barcelona’s medical staff have been closely monitoring his progress, and his condition will be reassessed once the team resumes training on Wednesday.
Although Flick is unlikely to take unnecessary risks, Joan Garcia potential availability for the Elche clash has not been ruled out, a positive sign considering the club’s recent struggles with squad depth.
Garcia’s injury occurred in the dying moments of the Oviedo encounter, sidelining him for nearly a month.
Now, with his imminent return to group training, the 23-year-old could soon compete for a starting place, further strengthening Barcelona’s goalkeeping options.
Adding to the good news, defender Andreas Christensen is also set to return for Sunday’s match after recovering from a gastrointestinal issue that kept him out of the last two fixtures.
His comeback is expected to reinforce a backline that looked vulnerable during El Clasico.
However, not all updates are positive, midfielder Dani Olmo remains in individual recovery, though the club remains optimistic he’ll follow Robert Lewandowski’s example after the striker made a full return to training earlier today.
Barcelona’s squad is slowly taking shape again, and with key players returning at just the right time, Flick’s side could regain the momentum they need to push forward in La Liga.
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