FC Barcelona Receives Big Boost Ahead Of Borussia Dortmund

FC Barcelona has received a big boost ahead of its Champions League quarterfinal first leg clash with Borussia Dortmund in Montjuic on Wednesday, as highlighted by outlets such as MARCA.

Inigo Martinez suffered a minor injury during last week’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals.

Ferran Torres’ winner sealed a 5-4 aggregate victory overall considering a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg, and it also booked an April 26 final date against bitter rival Real Madrid.

Barca has important games before that showdown, however, and must see off the side that Madrid beat in last season’s UCL final if it wishes to have a chance of reaching the decider in that competition as well for the first time since 2015.

Martinez couldn’t play any part in Saturday’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Real Betis, where Barca failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity to head six points clear at the summit over Madrid because of the latter’s 2-1 loss to Valencia.

Flick’s men had to settle for a four-point advantage instead, with Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo forming a center back partnership, but the Blaugrana has been boosted ahead of two meetings with Dortmund.

This is because Martinez trained with the rest of the first team group on Monday, and is now expected to be fit enough to star against the Germans.

MARCA described the Basque as “fully recovered” and “available to the coach for this important clash”.

Because of this development, he’s certain to make the squad list which could be published around the time Flick holds a pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon or on Wednesday in the hours leading up to kick off.

What will be more interesting to see is if Flick takes a starting punt on the veteran, who in Araujo’s previous injured absence following last summer’s Copa America formed what has become known as one of European soccer’s greatest central defensive duos alongside La Masia pearl Cubarsi.

MARCA expects Flick to be bold and field Martinez with the teenager, which would mean that Araujo hits the bench.

With Dani Olmo out injured, the main selection doubt comes in central attacking midfield.

That’s where the manager has to make a choice between his Betis starter Gavi, Fermin Lopez and maybe even Ferran Torres if Raphinha is pushed into the berth instead and frees up a spot on the left wing.