The next step for Barcelona to take in 2024 is the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. La Blaugrana, despite their extended injury list, are hopeful about performing well in the competition. However, things will be easier said than done for Barcelona as they continue to struggle in almost every encounter.
Injuries to the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, and Inigo Martinez have already depleted the squad much more than Barcelona would ideally have been okay with. With key players missing, the Catalan giants understandably have a tall task ahead of them with overcoming their opponents.
Fortunately for Barcelona, however, things may not all be doom and gloom. With Pedri having exercised in the recent training session, Barça already received good news. However, there are even more positive updates for La Blaugrana to be happy about.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Alejandro Balde was another star who returned to the latest training session. The Spanish defender missed the previous game in the Copa Del Ray due to an illness, but he has now returned to team training.
Moreover, MD also reports that Joao Cancelo is another name Barcelona remain hopeful about. Despite not being back in group training yet, the Portuguese star continues his recovery by himself. As per the word’s of Xavi as well, the goal is to take Barça’s star fullback to Saudi Arabia.
Similarly, Balde’s participation in the competition is also taken for granted. The Spaniard will undoubtedly be included in the final squad list. Cancelo’s inclusion, however, will still depend on how he feels on a personal level at the the end of the day.
Ultimately, if Barcelona manage to recover two of their most prominent fullbacks, it would be a massive boost. Both Cancelo and Balde offer extreme levels of width and creativity to the team’s forwards and attacking players. For Xavi, both of these stars at their best are weapons too lethal to leave behind.