24-year-old Barcelona star returns to full training ahead of FC Seoul clash | OneFootball

FC Barcelona continued their pre-season preparations in South Korea on Wednesday, holding another afternoon training session at the Goyang Stadium in Seoul ahead of their second friendly of the Asian Tour.

The session brought positive news for head coach Hansi Flick, who was able to count on a fully fit squad, including the return of Eric Garcia. The 24-year-old defender, who had trained separately a day earlier due to muscle discomfort, as reported by SPORT, rejoined the group and completed the session without issue.

With Barça set to face FC Seoul on Thursday, Garcia’s recovery adds further depth to Flick’s defensive options as the team builds on the momentum from their 3–1 win over Vissel Kobe.

Garcia Back After Muscle Overload

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Eric Garcia had started in Barcelona’s opening pre-season fixture against Vissel Kobe and even opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. However, he experienced some muscle overload in his left leg and was held out of Tuesday’s session as a precaution.

The Catalan defender completed individual work on that day but appears to have responded well to treatment, returning to full training just 24 hours before the next match.

Marc Bernal Trains, But Minutes Unlikely

Photo Courtesy: The official website of FC Barcelona

Also present in the session was 17-year-old Marc Bernal, who continues to travel with the first team. Despite his involvement in daily training, Flick remains cautious and is not expected to field the youngster in these early matches.

The coaching staff has opted for a conservative approach, prioritizing long-term development over immediate minutes.

Positive Energy Within the Barcelona Squad

The mood at training remained upbeat, with players visibly enjoying themselves during warm-ups and ball drills. Under Flick’s guidance, the group shared laughter and light-hearted moments, reflecting a strong team spirit in this crucial preparation phase.

Before the session began, the German manager was seen in conversation with Ronald Araújo, further affirming the defender’s key role in the squad. Earlier in the day, Flick had addressed ongoing transfer rumors involving Araújo during the press conference, dismissing them outright:

With all players available and the atmosphere high, Barcelona now turn their attention to their next test against FC Seoul. This fixture will provide further insight into Flick’s evolving tactical setup and squad priorities.