In the past, the international break has more often than not brought along with it some bad news for FC Barcelona in the form of injuries to their key players.
The ‘FIFA virus’ has caused harm to the Blaugrana on a number of occasions in the past and as such, there is a sense of worry and dread each time the international break comes around and players fly out for matches with their national teams.
It was no different this time around when the international break started earlier this month. There was an added sense of concern given that the season was entering the business end and Xavi’s side have crucial matches against the likes of PSG and Real Madrid coming up.
Thankfully no casualties
Barcelona had more than ten players away on national team duty during the international break, including teenage sensation Pau Cubarsi who had earned his first-ever call-up to the Spain squad.
But, the international break came to an end for Barça last night, and thankfully the Catalans’ stars return home without any injury casualties.
Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were the only two Barcelona players called up by Spain with the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Alejandro Balde all being unavailable.
Both Yamal and Cubarsi played in their first game against Colombia, coming on as second-half substitutes, as La Roja lost 1-0. Yamal started the second friendly vs Brazil and put on a stellar display in a 3-3 draw, with Cubarsi featuring again as a sub.
Meanwhile, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ilkay Gundogan were part of Germany’s wins against France (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-1), with both featuring prominently across the two games.
Gundogan captained Germany against France and the Netherlands. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Jules Kounde was part of the France starting XI against Germany last week and had an injury scare. But it was not a major issue as the defender returned to action last night in the win against Chile and will be back in Barcelona…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/surprise-surprise-barcelona-complete-the-international-break-with-no-injuries/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-03-27 08:08:28
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