At a glance
- Marc Bernal has been out of FC Barcelona action since being sidelined by an ankle sprain a fortnight ago.
- He’s still yet to return to group training despite being given a 10 day recovery deadline.
- But the Berga native now targets Celta Vigo on Wednesday for a possible comeback.
Amid Fermin Lopez becoming FC Barcelona’s new man in the mask, the other main news from training sessions at the Joan Gamper CT is that Marc Bernal hasn’t yet returned to group training.
Hansi Flick gave the first team squad three days off following the Champions League quarterfinal defeat to Atletico Madrid. Yet Bernal’s recovery is taking longer than expected.
His ankle knock came in another war against Atleti, the 2-1 league victory at the Metropolitano. Over two weeks later, though, Bernal still hasn’t made a comeback.
This comes despite expecting to be fit 10 days after his setback and we’ll see if Bernal trains on Monday. He now faces a race against the clock to be ready for Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
Bernal is depending on these factors for Barcelona return
Bernal possibly making Flick’s squad for the La Liga meeting depends on how he feels and whether he trains with the group in the two training sessions before kick off.
The club doesn’t want to rush when it comes to the youngster that suffered an ACL tear in 2024. Barca boast a nine point lead in the Spanish top flight and Frenkie de Jong’s available once more. So Bernal’s absence isn’t the tragedy it could’ve been a few weeks ago.
What’s more disappointing for the teenager is that he’s lost his spot in the first XI to the Dutchman or even Gavi.
It’s like that at an elite club like Barca. De Jong’s own sideline spell paved the way for Bernal to nail down a role in the starting line up, which he more than took advantage of.
With De Jong out of the picture, Bernal proved himself not just an imposing physical threat able of firing of quick passes. He’s a goalscoring force, that netted five in all competitions.
He’ll want to get back to action as soon as possible. Yet Bernal’s long game is probably trying to start the first Clasico at the new Spotify Camp Nou on May 10. Through winning, Barca can seal La Liga at the expense of eternal rival Real Madrid.
