Barcelona Round-Up: Iniesta fit for Clasico, Umtiti edging toward return and more

We take a look at some of the key stories concerning Barcelona that emerged today.

Iniesta fit for El Clasico

Luis Enrique today confirmed that Andres Iniesta would be fit for Saturday’s crucial El Clasico derby.

The Barcelona captain damaged his ankle ligaments last month, and only returned to training last Friday.

Enrique confirmed that the 32-year old would have featured in tomorrow’s Copa Del Rey game against Hercules, but will miss out through suspension.

According to Sky Sports, Enrique had this to say about Iniesta:

“Andres is waiting to be given the all clear by the doctors but this is just a formality. He is fit and he has been training with us,” he said.

“Andres is not playing tomorrow because he is banned but had he been available, he would have had minutes,”

Umtiti nearing return

Samuel Umtiti is also nearing a return to the side, according to Spanish publication Sport.

The French international will likely feature in El Clasico, and could even be fit enough to start tomorrow’s Copa Del Rey game against Hercules, they claim.

The 23-year old has only featured 10 times this season for Barcelona, having also missed time between September and October after stretching a ligament.

Umtiti has currently been nursing a muscle injury he sustained while on international duty with France, but has made a steady recovery and is ahead of schedule.

The centre half also tweeted “good feeling” yesterday along with a picture of him in training, which will no doubt relieve Barcelona fans everywhere, as Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are also nursing knocks sustained in Sunday’s disappointing draw to Real Sociedad.

Gerard Pique issues rallying cry ahead of Clasico

Gerard Pique has admitted that the El Clasico is much more crucial to Barcelona than it is to Real Madrid, and has warned his teammates that they cannot afford to lose the game.

Madrid are leading the table with a 6 point gap on Barcelona already, and the Catalans dropped points once again on Sunday night in a disappointing 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.

A loss for Barcelona will be a huge blow, and will mean that the gap increases to 9 points, and this could be one of the games that decides the title come the end of the season.

And Pique feels Barcelona need a victory more, according to Goal:

“It is more important for us than them,” he said.

“Because if they won, they would go nine points clear and it would be difficult.”

Enrique backs squad

Despite Barcelona’s struggles this season, Luis Enrique still feels this is the best squad he has ever had.

Enrique won the Treble in his first year in charge at the Camp Nou and the Double last season, and after signing six players in preseason Enrique proclaimed that his current side was the strongest it has ever been.

Enrique was very critical of his side following their 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad, and openly said his team were not good enough and that they were lucky to get a draw.

But, speaking ahead of the Copa Del Rey game, Enrique backed his squad unequivocally :

“I still think this is the best squad I’ve had.

“There are plenty of games left to show that. We need to defend that with results, of course.” he said, according to ESPN.

“Evidently we need to improve, but there is no reason for excessive concern other than isolated incidents.”

“Let’s not exaggerate. People did that in my first season and we won the Treble. But we’re the first to recognise things need to be improved.”

Enrique is right that Barcelona’s problems have been exaggerated, but things need to change sooner rather than later if his side is to successfully mount a title defense.