Three key Barcelona players were notably absent from a crucial pre-season training session at Ciutat Esportiva.
FC Barcelona’s pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign are in full swing at the Ciutat Esportiva, with manager Hansi Flick overseeing intensive training sessions to gear up for the upcoming season.
Following medical tests and the first official session on Monday, the squad reconvened on Tuesday for another rigorous group training session.
The team is focused on building fitness and cohesion ahead of their pre-season tour in Asia.
However, while one long-term absentee marked a significant milestone by rejoining the group, three players were conspicuously absent, raising questions about their availability for the upcoming campaign.
The standout positive from the session was the return of 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal, who completed a full group training session for the first time since suffering a serious ACL injury in August 2024 during his third first-team appearance against Rayo Vallecano.
Bernal’s recovery has been closely monitored, and his participation signals he is nearing a full comeback, potentially in time for the Asia tour, as per Javi Miguel of AS.
Meanwhile, the absence of captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, forward Ansu Fati, and midfielder Gavi drew attention.
Ter Stegen, sidelined by minor discomfort, trained separately in the gym, with the club taking a cautious approach.
Dani Rodriguez is recovering from shoulder surgery, and Gerrard Martin, who suffered an injury during the international break, after the season.
These absences come at a critical juncture as Barcelona aim to integrate new signings and fine-tune their squad under Flick’s guidance.
The return of Bernal is a boost, particularly for the midfield, but the absence of key figures like Ter Stegen, Dani, and Martin underscores the challenges of managing player fitness during pre-season.
As the team prepares for a demanding season, Flick will hope to have his full squad available soon to build momentum for the challenges ahead.
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