Eric García and Christensen complete training ahead of Atlético Madrid match

FC Barcelona defender Eric Garcia and teammate Andreas Christensen completed a full training session with the squad on Saturday, pushing both players toward potential inclusion in the traveling party for Sunday’s fixture against Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano, Mundo Deportivo reported.

Defensive Boost Before the Metropolitano Showdown

The return of Garcia and Christensen offers manager Hansi Flick a boost as the Catalan club attempts to secure the La Liga leadership before the upcoming international break. Both center-backs participated fully alongside their teammates at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper, according to Yahoo, marking an important recovery after weeks on the sidelines due to muscular injuries. Garcia had been sidelined since October 17 with a right rectus femoris strain, while Christensen missed roughly a month and a half following an adductor injury sustained on September 19, as detailed by Crónica Global.

While both defenders cleared Saturday’s crucial fitness test, Diario AS noted that neither player is expected to feature in the starting lineup at the Metropolitano. Flick’s squad previously deployed a makeshift backline featuring Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín in the center alongside Joao Cancelo and Brian Fariñas, managing a severe injury crisis that left the technical staff with limited alternatives.

Barcelona Faces Multiple Injuries Before Upcoming Match

Pese a la recuperación de Garcia y Christensen, Barcelona mantiene las bajas de Rodri, Jules Koundé, Dani Olmo, Xavi Espart y Roony Bardghji. Midfielder Rodrigo Hernández ‘Rodri’ continues a recovery from a minor tear in his right biceps femoris, joining Jules Koundé, Dani Olmo, Xavi Espart, and long-term absentee Roony Bardghji on the injury list, per ESPN Deportes. Koundé has now spent three weeks recovering from left ankle discomfort that originally appeared minor.

With Real Madrid visiting Mestalla on Saturday evening, Barcelona enters Sunday’s 21:00 local time kickoff against Atlético de Madrid determined to protect its position at the summit. The encounter also serves as an opportunity for the squad to put behind them the disappointment of last season’s Copa del Rey and Champions League eliminations against Madrid-based opponents.

Flick Calls up Youth Prospects for Capital Trip

To round out Saturday’s training session, Flick called upon several prospects from La Masia, including defender Àlex Campos, midfielder Ebrima Tunkara, and goalkeeper Max Bonfill alongside regular first-team participant Hamza Abdelkarim. Campos, Tunkara, and Abdelkarim are all expected to join the expedition to the Spanish capital, whereas Guillem Víctor and Orian Goren stayed behind to reinforce the reserve team against Manresa, according to club reports.

The Blaugrana delegation, led by club president Joan Laporta, plans to announce its final matchday squad on Sunday morning around 11:00 before arriving in Madrid near 12:30. The team will stay at the Hilton Airport hotel ahead of the traditional board luncheon at the De María restaurant at 15:00. Following the match, Spanish internationals Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Fermín, and Lamine Yamal are scheduled to remain in Madrid to begin preparations on Monday for international duty with Spain.

More on this story: Eric García Set to Return for Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid