Barcelona handed injury boost as 3 key players set to return for Celta Vigo clash: Reports
Barcelona and manager Hansi Flick are set to receive majorly positive news regarding the fitness of three key players ahead of their clash against Celta Vigo next week.
As per Javier Miguel of AS (via @barcaxtra1 on X), Barca are set to have Robert Lewandowski, Eric Garcia and Hector Fort all fit and available for selection for their trip to Balaidos.
Of the three players, Flick will undoubtedly be most pleased with Robert Lewandowski's return. The Pole is currently leading the scoring charts in LaLiga with a stunning 14 strikes to his name so far this season. He has been nursing a lower back issue sustained during Barca's 1-0 reverse against Real Sociedad last week. As a result, he also missed the international break with Poland.
Lewandowski's return will potentially allow Flick to pick his preferred front three completed by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Garcia and Fort will also return to the matchday squad after their respective injuries.
Eric Garcia has been dealing with a right adductor injury which is also referred to as pubalgia. Discomfort stemming from the injury has kept him on the sidelines for weeks. However, being in the final stages of recovery, he will look to return to action soon.
Fort, on the other hand, has been suffering from back discomfort as well. Despite not being a regular in Hansi Flick's squad, he will look to establish himself and feature more often. Having all three of these players back in the squad will be a boost for Barcelona as they look to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga.
Barcelona men's and women's teams inflict heavy defeats on Real Madrid
Both Barcelona men's and women's football teams have established dominance in Spain this season by thrashing their Real Madrid counterparts in the league.
After seeing the men's team decimate Real Madrid with a 4-0 scoreline, the women's side inflicted defeat on their arch-rivals by the same scoreline on November 16.
While Barcelona's men are already six points clear after 13 games in LaLiga, the women have also extended their lead to eight points. Barca Femeni now have a perfect 30 points from 10 games, with Real Madrid second with 22 points from nine games.
This dominance of both teams signifies a clear shift in power from Los Blancos to Barca as the latter aim to re-establish themselves as a dominant force.
The men's team will face Celta Vigo next in La Liga on November 23, while the women's team will face St. Polten in the UEFA Women's Champions League on November 21.