The international break has thinned FC Barcelona’s first-team roster dramatically, with seventeen players away on national duty. That left manager Hansi Flick with just six senior players for Wednesday’s training at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. In response, Flick brought in a sizable contingent from Barça Atletic to maintain intensity and unity during this lean period.
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## First-Team Squad Limited, Atletic Steps Up
With the bulk of the squad abroad, only Alejandro Balde, Brian Fariñas, Gavi, Gabriel Jesús, Wojciech Szczesny, and Gerard Martí were available from the first team. Facing such constraints, Flick arranged a joint session featuring these six alongside emerging talent from Barça Atletic.
From the reserve side, players such as Eder Aller visited the first-team setup on multiple occasions, notably acting as third-choice goalkeeper when needed. Others—including Alex González, Hafiz Gariba, Ibrahim Diarra, and Shane Kluivert—also gained first-team exposure during pre-season, growing familiar with Flick’s approach. Particularly, Gariba’s involvement becomes more significant after Andreas Christensen’s injury, as Barcelona’s depth at center-back faces new pressure.
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## Key Players in Attendance
### First Team
– Alejandro Balde
– Brian Fariñas
– Gavi
– Gabriel Jesús
– Wojciech Szczesny
– Gerard Martí
### Barça Atletic
– Eder Aller
– Max Bonfill
– Guillem Victor
– Walton
– Landry Farré
– Ignasi Quer
– Nil Vicens
– Alex González
– Ibrahim Diarra
– Shane Kluivert
– Javi Castro
– Juan Ybarra
– Adam Argemí
– Hafiz Gariba
– Abdul Aziz Issah
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## Blink-and-Miss Moments Under the Microscope
Coach Flick, alongside assistant Juliano Belletti, observed closely throughout the joint session, evaluating the chemistry and readiness among all players. This setup offered valuable minutes for the reserves and helped the first-team maintain rhythm despite the absences caused by the international call-ups.
Eder Aller stood out as one part of the Atletic group who has already cemented a bridge to the first team, often stepping up in backup roles. Meanwhile, Gariba’s presence among the session’s center-back pairings gains increased relevance due to Christensen’s recent injury—adding urgency to the need for capable depth in that position.
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## Looking Ahead: Upcoming Schedule
The full squad will return for training on Thursday morning at the Joan Gamper Sports City, with a similar workout planned for Friday. Afterwards, the team will break for a nine-day mini-vacation, reconvening on October 5 to prepare for the La Liga matchup against Getafe.
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Using this joint session was not only essential for fitness but also invaluable for integrating younger players and testing potential lineups. As international duties wind down, the blend of experience from the first team and hunger from Atletic could shape Barcelona’s performance in the upcoming fixtures. This combined training could help Flick spot hidden gems who are ready to step up.
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