FC Barcelona takes on Athletic Club tonight (9pm). After the draw that Real Madrid lost last night against Sevilla, the Blaugrana want to add three points to close the gap with the LaLiga leader. As is usual in home games, Xavi Hernández announced this morning the squad list for the crucial match.
Three new features stand out in the FC Barcelona call-up. On the one hand, the additions of Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal, who have been medically discharged and will be available for the Catalan coach. Lamine Yamal suffered from an injury to the iliopsoas in his left leg, while Balde had adductor discomfort. Both have been out of action during the last national team break, but they have overcome their physical problems and are ready to face Atheltic.
The other novelty is the appearance on the list of young Héctor Fort, from the reserve team. The right back is called up for the first team for the first time due to the numerous absences that the Blaugrana team has. Without Koundé, nor Sergi Roberto, in addition to Pedri, De Jong, Raphinha and Lewandowski, Barça’s infirmary is full. Xavi Hernández has had to bring in the reserve team to complete the list and they are accompanied by Héctor Fort Unai Hernández and Marc Guiu.
Barça receives an Athletic that has not beaten the culé team at home for 22 years, but will do so in a different setting: Montjuïc. A stadium that was also home for Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, who also coached FC Barcelona: “A coincidence. I have good memories of both things. It means facing a former team that I have good memories of and people who helped me with whom I have a great relationship. And I want to see Montjuïc again because I haven’t been there in a while,” he said.
This is the list of FC Barcelona squad to face the Basque team: Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Balde, Araujo, Íñigo Martínez, Gavi, Ferran, Iñaki Peña, Joao Félix, Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Romeu, Gündogan, Astralaga, Lamine Yamal , Fermín, Unai, Marc Guiu and Héctor Fort.
