Marc Bernal is likely to be ruled out for the match against Atletico Madrid due to an injury sustained during a previous encounter. The young player has not yet returned to group training, and Barcelona is prioritizing his full fitness over rushing him back into action.
Bernal suffered a left ankle sprain on April 4 during a match against Atletico Madrid, which has led to a diagnosis indicating an absence period of up to 10 days. As a result, he is expected to miss the crucial Champions League clash on April 12.
Barcelona currently faces a 2-0 goal deficit from the first leg against Atletico Madrid and is in a critical stage of the tournament. The club’s management has confirmed that they see no reason to rush Bernal back ahead of Tuesday’s match.
Gerard Martin, another player on the team, has confirmed his fitness to play against Atletico Madrid, contrasting Bernal’s situation. “There is no point in rushing his comeback or taking a risk with him before he is fully ready,” Martin stated.
Despite the setback, there is optimism regarding Bernal’s recovery. Coach Hans Flick remarked, “I think it’s not a serious injury. I think he can play on Tuesday,” although this remains to be seen.
Following the match against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona’s next fixture is against Celta Vigo, where the team will be hoping for a stronger lineup, potentially including Bernal if he recovers as expected.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Bernal’s exact return date to training, but he is anticipated to resume practice on Wednesday after the Atletico Madrid match.