This afternoon Barça begins the trip to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to face the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup, this Thursday against Osasuna. He does it with Pedri and Cancelo among the expedition members. Neither the Canarian nor the Portuguese are medically discharged but they flew with their companions with the aim of speeding up their options. The midfielder and the defender want to lend a hand in the Super Cup, not even on Sunday in a hypothetical final, although they are not 100% ruled out for Thursday. Pedri suffered a new muscle mishap before the Christmas break while Cancelo had to leave after a few minutes last Thursday in Las Palmas due to a strain in his right knee. On the other hand, the one who in theory has no chance of playing even though he travels is Iñigo Martínez, again in the infirmary due to a muscle injury.
Ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso and Gavi were left recovering in Barcelona. Gündogan, who did not train on Monday due to a virus, and Balde, absent from the Cup due to the same reason, are under Xavi's orders. Like Lamine Yamal, who could not play in Barbastro due to a suspension from last season's Copa del Rey youth team. The youngsters Ástraaga, Kochen, Casadó, Cubarsí, Marc Guiu and Héctor Fort complete the list of those called up.
The Blaugrana rival, Osasuna, travels to Riyadh without Chimy Ávila, he is out due to muscle discomfort.
