Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has, on Saturday evening, provided an insight into the fitness of defensive star Alejandro Balde.
For those not aware, the name of Spanish international Balde has taken its place centre stage in the headlines in Catalunya over the course of the last 24 hours.
This comes after reports began to mount that the 19-year-old was a major doubt for Barca’s return to action against Villarreal this weekend.
Balde, for his part, has featured from the off in both of the Blaugrana’s first two La Liga outings this season.
Word across the media, however, pointed towards the youngster suffering a training ground injury, throwing his availability at El Madrigal on Sunday up in the air.
Speaking to the media earlier today, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Balde’s wellbeing was put to boss Xavi Hernandez.
This comes with Balde having suffered what has simply been described as a ‘knock’.
The Catalunya native, in turn, is expected to be thrown in from the off once more against Villarreal, as Barca go about hunting down table-topping Clasico rivals Real Madrid.
Xavi: “Balde? He’s available, it’s a knock, there’s no injury.” pic.twitter.com/SGwLiBCYvU
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 26, 2023
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