Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Catalan giants receive major injury boost for Copa del Rey final

Barcelona's number one goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been named in the squad for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, but Alejandro Balde has not recovered from a hamstring injury in time to be included.

Ter Stegen has not been available for Barcelona since September due to the serious knee injury that he suffered against Villarreal, and it had been thought that the issue would end his 2024-25 campaign.

However, the Germany international has made excellent progress in his recovery in recent months, and the club's first-choice stopper has now been included in the squad for the Copa del Rey final.

The 32-year-old has given head coach Hansi Flick a major decision to make with his return to fitness, as Wojciech Szczesny has been impressing between the sticks for the Catalan giants.

The expectation is that Szczesny will again be given the nod for El Clasico, but Ter Stegen could potentially be involved in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with the first leg of Barcelona's semi-final against Inter Milan taking place next week.

© Imago

Ter Stegen returns to Barcelona squad for El Clasico

Robert Lewandowski is facing the next two to three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring issue, so his absence from the squad list is not a surprise, while Marc Casado and Marc Bernal are also out for the campaign.

There had been a slight chance of Balde recovering from a hamstring issue in time for the contest, but the Spain international has not made it, so Gerard Martin is in line for another spot at left-back.

Ferran Torres is set to operate through the middle in Lewandowski's absence, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are certainties when it comes to the wide spots in the 4-2-3-1 formation.

The number 10 spot will go to Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez or Gavi, while Flick is choosing between Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo for the two positions in the middle of the defence.

Full Barcelona squad vs. Real Madrid:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Szczesny; Christensen, Kounde, E Garcia, Fort, Martin, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martinez; Pedri, De Jong, F Lopez, Gavi, Torre; F Torres, Fati, Raphinha, Victor, Yamal, Olmo