Official: Barcelona squad list to face Atletico Madrid – Balde, Kounde return
Official: Barcelona squad list to face Atletico Madrid – Balde, Kounde return FC Barcelona lock horns with Atletico Madrid later tonight for the fourth time this season, hoping to strengthen their hold at the top of the La Liga table. Ahead of the trip to the Spanish capital, Barça manager Hansi Flick has announced the squad list of players available at his disposal for the contest. The major development is that defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are back in the squad, having received the official medical clearance, after recovering from their respective hamstring injuries.
Meanwhile, Eric Garcia is also fully fit and ready to start after having had a limited role in the past few matches due to fitness issues. However, Barcelona continue to be without key midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has now been joined by Raphinha on the sidelines. Andreas Christensen also remains an injury-enforced absentee.
Academy prospects Tommy Marques and Xavi Espart have been called up by manager Flick, while Eder Aller fills in as the third goalkeeper in the squad instead of Diego Kochen. Marc Bernal and Kounde are both on four yellow cards, meaning a caution tonight could lead to a suspension for next week’s Catalan derby against RCD Espanyol.