"FC Barcelona will take a short trip tonight to take on their cross-town rivals, RCD Espanyol, in their first game of 2026. Ahead of the Catalan derby set to be played at Cornella-El Prat, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has announced the squad list of players available at his disposal. The big news for Barça is that key midfielders Pedri and Dani Olmo have recovered from their fitness problems and return to the squad, having received the medical green light."
"Pedri had missed the last game of 2025 due to mild discomfort, but has been able to mount a quick recovery. As for Olmo, he had been sidelined for a month now due to a dislocated shoulder, but has now been able to make a comeback to the squad. However, Ronald Araujo is not yet ready to return despite having trained with the squad, as he continues to focus on his mental health recovery."
FC Barcelona travel to Cornella-El Prat to face cross-town rivals RCD Espanyol in their first game of 2026. Head coach Hansi Flick named a squad that includes the recovered midfielders Pedri and Dani Olmo, both given the medical green light. Pedri missed the final 2025 game with mild discomfort but recovered quickly, while Olmo returns after a month out with a dislocated shoulder. Ronald Araujo remains unavailable as he continues mental health recovery despite training. Andreas Christensen faces a long layoff with a partial ACL tear and Gavi is about a month from return. Roony Bardghji is fit and youngsters Jofre Torrents, Dro, and Tommy Marques are called up.
Read at Barca Universal
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