A number of high-profile absentees were noted in the latest training session held by La Liga giants Barcelona on Friday.
That’s according to Victor Navarro of COPE, who has provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.
With no league fixture scheduled for the upcoming weekend owing to the Copa del Rey finale date between Athletic Club and RCD Mallorca, Barcelona’s coaching and playing staff alike have already turned their attentions towards matters on the continent.
As much comes with the Blaugrana primed to kick their Champions League adventure back into gear next Wednesday night, in the first leg of their quarter-final tie with French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
In the buildup to the clash, Barca have been forced to sweat over the wellbeing of three key figures, in the form of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Andreas Christensen.
And, according to the aforementioned Victor Navarro, all three were again absent from group activities on Friday.
This includes De Jong, who was spotted back amongst Xavi’s squad in training on Thursday morning.
A match between ranks has been pencilled in for Saturday, though, which will allow Xavi and his staff to gain a better understanding of the respective fitness levels of Pedri, De Jong, and Christensen.
Long-term absentees Gavi and Alejandro Balde, as expected, were also absent from preparations for PSG earlier today.
Turning attentions towards those who were in attendance in Catalunya, Xavi afforded an opportunity to impress to five members of Barcelona’s youth ranks, in the form of Ander Astralaga, Marc Casadó, Moha Moukhliss, Mamadou Mbacke, and Gerard Martín.
Conor Laird | GSFN
