Hampered by a mounting injury list, Hansi Flick has named a 22-man squad featuring four prospects from the youth ranks.
FC Barcelona have landed in Madrid ahead of tonight’s (21:00 CET) Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atletico. Hansi Flick’s side lead a depleted squad into the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with midfield maestro Pedri and attacking duo Raphinha and Marcus Rashford all sidelined through injury.
Pedri and Raphinha remain in the treatment room with right hamstring and right adductor issues respectively. Rashford also misses the trip as a precaution after picking up a knock to his left knee. These fresh setbacks compound the long-term absences of defender Andreas Christensen and Gavi, though the latter is finally nearing the end of his rehabilitation.
With his options stretched, Flick has turned to the Blaugrana academy, drafting in four reserve team players to bolster the ranks: goalkeeper Diego Kochen, full-back Jofre Torrents, and midfield pair Tommy Marques and Juan Hernandez.
The Blaugrana travelling party opted to bring their flight forward to Wednesday evening, deviating from their original Thursday morning schedule to avoid the gale-force winds currently battering much of the Catalan region.
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