FC Barcelona returned to the court after two days of rest following defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, with its sights set on the next duel against Deportivo Alavés. The training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, led by German coach HansiFlick, revealed several new features in the squad, but the main unknown remains the availability of JulesKoundé.
The French defender, who has been affected by a sprained ankle that prevented him from participating in the last few games, did not join practice. Koundé continues to recover and his evolution in the coming days will be crucial to decide if he can be on the bench or even in the starting eleven for this Saturday's match at the Spotify Camp Nou. The club and the player are closely monitoring his physical condition to determine his availability.
In contrast, PauCubarsí, who had been absent from the Ballon d'Or Gala in London to recover from a fever, returned to training normally and joined the group without problems. His return is perceived as a positive point for the Barça defense, which needs to reinforce its solidity after recent defeats.
The session also featured the participation of three players from the reserve team: midfielder EbrimaTunkara, center back ÀlexCampos and Egyptian attacker HamzaAbdelkarim. The three completed the group under the supervision of Flick, indicating a commitment to youth and continuity within the club. His presence in the first team dynamics suggests that the coach is preparing a flexible squad with options for the next match.
Barcelona's immediate objective is to leave behind the setbacks of recent days and recover its best form against Alavés. After this Saturday's match, the squad will face two high-level matches: AstonVilla and Atlético de Madrid, before the second break of the season. The performance at Alavés will be decisive in determining the team's course in the final phase of the championship.