Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
FC Barcelona have been handed multiple fresh concerns leading up to Sunday’s El Clasico as Jules Kounde and Raphinha’s availability for the Real Madrid clash has become uncertain.
Both players did not train today with the rest of the squad in a worrying development for Hansi Flick & Co., only 48 hours away from the heavyweight clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But there is some good news on the horizon as Frenkie de Jong trained normally after recovering from gastroenteritis and is expected to be ready for the trip to Madrid.
Not only that, but Javi Miguel of AS now reports that another Barcelona star, Andreas Christensen, will also be available at Flick’s disposal for the Clasico.
The Danish centre-back missed the Olympiacos clash earlier this week due to gastroenteritis and was absent from the team training session on Wednesday and Thursday.
However, as per the report, Christensen was back in training with the rest of the group today and will be available for the showdown against Real Madrid.
This will be a welcome boost for Barcelona as the 29-year-old will provide more depth and cover in both central defence and midfield.
Jules Kounde, FC Barcelona player
Expected to be ready for Clasico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Furthermore, Santi Ovalle reports on Cadena SER that Kounde is also expected to be fit and ready for the trip to the Spanish capital on Sunday.
The French right-back has missed back-to-back training sessions due to a knock, but is set to train normally on Saturday and make himself available for the first Clasico of the season.
If things turn out that way, it will be a big relief for Flick & co., considering that Kounde is an important member of the team, even though his performances have been a bit up and down so far this season.
Even if he becomes available, it remains to be seen if Flick will risk starting him outright. If not, Eric Garcia could become an option at right-back.
Alternatively, the Barcelona manager could go the Xavi Hernandez route and deploy Ronald Araujo at right-back to thwart Vinicius Jr.
Barcelona stars celebrating
Barcelona stars celebrating