Hansi Flick grins as Barcelona receive triple fitness boost ahead of Atlético showdown

Barcelona’s final training session before departing for Madrid delivered the news Hansi Flick had been hoping for: Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé and Eric García all completed the full workout with the squad, confirming their availability for tomorrow’s pivotal meeting with Atlético de Madrid.

The trio had spent recent weeks managing separate physical complaints, but on Friday they moved through every drill prescribed by the coaching staff without restriction. Their return removes a major selection headache for Flick, who now has his preferred full-back pairing intact—Balde on the left and Koundé on the right—while García’s ability to operate either as a central defender or in the holding midfield role adds tactical flexibility for the high-stakes contest at the Metropolitano.

The session ended with smiles all around, none wider than the manager’s, as Barcelona travel south knowing their defensive corps is back at full strength.