Barcelona in-form forward absent from training two days before Athletic Club clash | Barca Universal

"FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has finally been able to prepare for Saturday's match against Athletic Club at the revamped Spotify Camp Nou under ideal conditions. The German coach led the first session on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with all the players who had been called up by their national teams during the international break. Well, almost all of them."

"The most notable absence in this penultimate training session before Barcelona face Athletic Club this weekend was Marcus Rashford, according to SPORT. The forward was not seen arriving at the club's facilities in the morning and did not take part in the session. For now, the reason for his absence from today's training session is unknown, although club sources insist that it is not serious."

"The Englishman was called up by Thomas Tuchel for the two matches played by the Three Lions during the international break. Rashford started in the 2-0 win against Serbia and played the final quarter of an hour against Albania, providing the assist for Harry Kane's goal that sealed the 0-2. The 28-year-old has been in fine form for Barcelona this season, racking up six goals and nine assists from 16 games, including two assists in the team's last match vs Celta Vigo before the international break."

Hansi Flick prepared Barcelona's session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with nearly all internationals back after the break ahead of the match versus Athletic Club at the refurbished Spotify Camp Nou. Marcus Rashford missed the penultimate training session; he did not arrive at club facilities and did not take part, with club sources saying the absence is not serious. Rashford recently played for England, starting against Serbia and assisting vs Albania, and has six goals and nine assists in 16 Barcelona appearances this season. Pedri trained separately, Lamine Yamal is gradually reintegrating, Raphinha and Marc Casado are pushing, Araujo arrived from Uruguay, and several academy players were called up.

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