Pedri and Araujo train at full intensity; Olmo does part of the group work

Hansi Flick led the second training session of the week this Tuesday, the first at the Ciutat Esportiva, with a majority of available players and his mind set on FC Barcelona's visit to Espanyol next Saturday (9:00 PM). Ronald Araujo and Pedri González were the main positive notes of the day.

The 'charrúa' returned to train on the Tito Vilanova field after a month's leave from the club, while he overcame his emotional slump. The Canary Islander, for his part, also trained normally after overcoming the muscle discomfort that prevented him from playing against Villarreal (0-2).

Both players completed training without any issues and, in Pedri's case, his presence in the starting XI against Espanyol is almost certain. With Araujo, we will have to wait for Wednesday and Friday's sessions to see if Flick decides to call him up for the 18th matchday of LaLiga. The Uruguayan has not played in the tournament since November 22nd (he played the second half against Athletic).

Dani Olmo returned to complete part of the session with the group

Another player who returned to training at the Ciutat Esportiva was Dani Olmo. Just as happened on Monday in the open-door session at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, the Terrassa-born player did part of the work with the group, but trained separately in the second half of the session.

In this regard, Olmo remains a doubt for the visit to Espanyol, although the feelings regarding the recovery of his left shoulder (he dislocated it against Atlético) are positive. Like Araujo, Dani could return to the squad in Cornellà or, failing that, for the Spanish Super Cup next week.

Another player who trained normally on Tuesday was Jules Koundé. The Frenchman has completely overcome the physical discomfort that forced him to be substituted in the final stretch of Villarreal-Barça and will be a starter on Saturday. Barring any surprises, Flick will repeat his defense and only plans to make a couple of adjustments in attack.

Barça could take to the RCDE Stadium with a XI made up of Joan García in goal and the usual center-back pairing of recent weeks: Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín, alongside Koundé and Balde on the flanks.

Frenkie de Jong and Eric García would be in the midfield alongside Pedri, while Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski could be the forwards chosen for the first match of 2026. Fermín López and Ferran Torres, starters at La Cerámica, would go to the bench, as would Marcus Rashford

Barça to bid farewell to 2025 with another morning training session

Before the end of 2025, Barcelona will hold another training session on Wednesday the 31st starting at 11:00 AM at the Ciutat Esportiva. The squad will have a day off on Thursday and will return to work on Friday, January 2nd, where Hansi Flick will give his first press conference of the year ahead of the match on matchday 18 of the league.

For now, only two players are confirmed absentees against Espanyol: Pablo Gavi and Andreas Christensen, both with long-term injuries. Barça arrives as leader with a 4-point advantage over Real Madrid, while the 'periquitos' are fifth with 33 points, 13 behind the blaugrana team (46) and with one game less.