Barcelona: 5 players return to squad ahead of El Clasico

Barcelona have confirmed a host of their sidelined players will be available for the Supercopa game.

Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Spanish Supercopa on Wednesday. The Catalans are not the favourites to win the game, but a new personnel update has provided them with a significant squad boost.

On Tuesday, Barcelona announced Ronald Araujo, Ansu Fati, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Ferran Torres have returned to the squad.

Torres can make his debut for the Blaugrana following a £55m move from Manchester City. The club finally registered him in their squad after Samuel Umtiti extended his deal with reduced wages.

Despite having a number of their players back, Barcelona still have a host of first-team players on the sidelines. The latest addition to the club’s list of injured players is Eric Garcia, who suffered a hamstring injury against Granada. The Spaniard will remain out of action for five weeks, which makes Araujo’s return all the more crucial.

Barcelona are winless in their last five El Clasico’s, losing 2-1 in their latest game against Real Madrid. Xavi will experience his first El Clasico as a manager while trying to beat an in-form Blancos on Wednesday.

Following the Real Madrid game, Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao on January 19. The Catalans will then meet Bilbao again in a Copa del Rey outing a week later.