Ferran Torres, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araújo, ready for the Classic

Xavi Hernández had great news in Riyadh. The Barcelona coach is recovering troops and will be able to count on Ferran Torres and Pedri in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup beside Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong y Ronald Araújo who have been discharged and may be available to the coach for the semi-finals of the Super Cup. Obviously, not all will be in the starting eleven, but more than one. There are two that are practically taken for granted: Araújo and Frenkie. The winter flashy signing, from Manchester City, is ready to make his debut as a Blaugrana against Real Madrid after the two necessary premises have been met: the confirmation that it has overcome the coronavirus and the renewal of Umtiti to facilitate its registration.

Ferran tested negative yesterday in the PCR for the second consecutive day and he was able to travel to the capital of Saudi Arabia today Together with his partner Pedri (both received the Barça tracksuit when they arrived in the city), President Joan Laporta, Ferran Reverter, CEO, and Enric Masip, former handball player and now sports advisor. The Valencian exercised with the group, already recovered from a metatarsal fracture that he suffered in October with the National Team, and win the hopes of the Blaugrana fans as a great incorporation in the middle of the course. What’s more, the renewal of Umtiti until 2026 brings its registration closer and his presence in the Super Cup, where Ferran could be a starter at the first exchange rate.

Pedri for his part is also back. The coronavirus was a new slowdown in his recovery when he counted the hours to enjoy on the grass again. The Canary, that last season he played 73 games, has only been able to participate in four games so far this season (310 minutes), with relapses and muscular problems as great enemies. Unpublished since September 29 (in the Champions League against Benfica), Pedri is a very important ‘signing’ for Xavi.

In the training session before the classic tomorrow, Xavi was also able to count on Ansu Fati, out of action since November 6, Araujo and Frenkie de Jong. The Uruguayan central was intervened last Friday of a double bill in the right hand, but he wants to be against Real Madrid and will be able to participate with a protection splint after having undergone a double fracture last Friday, while the Dutchman is now fully recovered after suffering an elongation in the hamstrings a week ago in Linares in the Copa He had no problem working as one more in a session where the good atmosphere reigned, the collejas for the recovered ones and for the newcomer Ferran.

Ovation and chops for Ferran and Pedri

Ferran Torres and Pedri focused a good part of the gaze on this afternoon’s training session at FC Barcelona. When they stepped onto the grass, the first one who approached them was captain Sergio Busquets, to then go to the center circle, where the rest of the teammates were waiting. Xavi made a brief harangue to the players, starting with welcoming both Ferran and Pedri, who was answered with applause, but the traditional baptism of fire was still missing for those who reappear after so long away: the corridor of the collejas.

Neither Pedri nor Ferran got rid of tradition, although in honor of the truth it was a more benevolent corridor than on other occasions. Probably because his teammates are aware that they are two players who must be vital for tomorrow’s game against Real Madrid, so they should be taken care of with care.

In principle, everything points to Ferran could start in the starting eleven, once you have already been enrolled, while Pedri and Ansu will start the game from the bench. The two come to the game against Real Madrid after a long time of inactivity after serious muscle injuries, also with relapses included, in the case of the Tenerife, so all precautions are little. In no case will they be headlines and the technicians trust they can give them between 20 to 25 minutes so that they begin to test sensations and gain confidence. While Ferran, being a bone and not muscle injury, has fewer components of risk of relapse, so the technicians consider that he could play for about 70 minutes.