FC Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has started training again. After sustaining a back injury during a training session with the German national team in November, the goalkeeper also underwent a surgery to address the issue.
The German wall is set to return by the time Barça's UCL RO16 tie comes around. Although, some reports suggest that the Berlin wall might as well take to the pitch by mid February. Luckily for Xavi, the recovery appears to be going fine as ter Stegen has started training with his gloves again.
On the other hand, both Araújo and Christensen are doing well and trained normally with the rest of the team. There were many speculations regarding the defending duo's availability as they displayed physical problems in Bilbao.
Nonetheless, the Catalan giants would have sighed a big breath of relief as the duo came out unharmed.
Alejandro Balde's operation concerns
After playing for 20 minutes against Bilbao, Alejandro Balde pulled his hamstring and had to be subbed off immediately. FC Barcelona is already short of wing-backs following Marcos Alonso's injury, but luckily Héctor Fort was there to cover the abandoned position.
The club's medical team is in a dilemma as the members debate whether to have Balde go under the knife or follow a regular treatment plan. If the Spaniard chooses to operate, this season is over for him and also he'll lose any chance of playing in the Euros.
A regular treatment plan is also an option, but the better one is not known. If Balde doesn't go under the knife, he might make it back by the end of the season and also play the Euros. We'll know the situation once the club decides and releases a statement. Till then, our guesses are as good as yours.
Barça is short of left-backs at the moment. Both Marcos and Alejandro will be on the sidelines for a considerable amount of time now. Luckily for Xavi, Cancelo and Fort, who are primarily right-backs, can cover both the wings.