FC Barcelona

Good news: Alejandro Balde returns to training and is aiming for the Barça-PSG match

Good news: Alejandro Balde returns to training and aims for the Barça-PSG match

Published New:24/09/2025 - 01:07h

Updated New:28/09/2025 - 15:01h

Alejandro Balde returned to training with the Barça squad on Tuesday. Although he will not be available against Oviedo, the full-back is working to be ready for the Champions League match against PSG

FC Barcelona received good news on a gray Tuesday after the confirmed absence of Pablo Gavi. While the midfielder will finally be out for 4 to 5 months due to his injury to his right knee, Alejandro Balde has returned to training on the pitch of the Camp Tito Vilanova of the Ciutat Esportiva.

The full-back suffered an injury to his left biceps femoris on September 3 and his estimated time out was three to four weeks. In that sense, the '3' is strictly complying with the deadlines established by the medical staff, since this Wednesday marks 21 days since his injury.

Álex suffered a puncture while training at the Ciutat Esportiva, while the bulk of the squad was on the sidelines due to the international break. Finally, the 21-year-old defender missed the league matches against Valencia (6-0) and Getafe (3-0), in addition to the Champions League debut against Newcastle (1-2).

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Alejandro Balde during the Levante-Barça (2-3)

In principle, Balde will not be included in the squad for the Real Oviedo-Barcelona match on Thursday the 25th (9:30 PM) as he is just beginning to work with the rest of the squad. Similarly, the '3' also has a very difficult time getting to the match on Sunday the 28th against Real Sociedad (6:30 PM), although he may be on the bench for this match.

However, Hansi Flick will not take any risks with the full-back. Gerard Martín has been in charge of covering his position, with good performances in the two league matches and the debut in the Champions League. In addition, the coach has Jofre Torrents as an alternative for the left side.

After the 'blow' that Gavi's injury meant and with Lamine Yamal also between cotton wool, Flick will take extreme care with each of his players in the culé infirmary. The calendar does not give respite and the mission of the coaching staff is to dose the load of minutes among all the available players.

In the case of the injured, respect all the recommendations provided by the medical staff. Before his injury, Balde was a starter in the first three league matches, although he did not complete the 90 minutes in any match. In total, he has accumulated 222' of playing time in the 25/26 season. In the final stretch of the previous season, the defender also suffered a muscular injury that kept him out for a month.

Balde aims for the Barça-PSG Champions League match

Thus, the highest priority for Balde, from now on, is to be in top physical condition for the Barça-PSG match on matchday 2 of the Champions League. Flick hopes to have his gala XI for what, in theory, will be the toughest match of the league phase, although Luis Enrique's team arrives in Catalonia with significant absences.

Ousmane Dembélé is confirmed to be out due to injury, while Desiré Doué would also not make it to the match in Montjuïc. The match against the current European champion will be played on Wednesday, October 1 at 9:00 PM, the day Álex completes four weeks of rest. Will the left-back be able to be in top physical condition to be a starter again in the Champions League?

The last time the '3' completed a Champions League match was in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the previous season, against Borussia Dortmund (3-1). In the 'semis' against Inter, Balde was absent due to a thigh injury.