One more day until the classico

The internationals are back. On Thursday afternoon, with just two days to go until the Clasico, Luis Enrique has the majority of his squad at his disposal in preparation for a Saturday’s top of the table clash with Real Madrid.

After the return of the Spanish players (Bartra, Pique, Alba, Busquets and Iniesta) and Vermaelen on Wednesday, they rest returned to the training pitch on Thursday — Neymar and Dani Alves (Brazil), Bravo (Chile), Mascherano (Argentina), Arda Turan (Turkey) and Munir (Spain U21s).

They all went straight into training with the group in a session which also featured Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic. Both are yet to receive the all-clear from the Catalan club’s medical team, but it looks like they will be ready to travel with the squad to the Spanish capital.

With the Clasico now in sight, the players will train one final time, on Friday at 17.00h at the Ciudad Deportivo Joan Gamper. Before that, at 16.00h, Luis Enrique will give his pre-match press conference. Remember that the game at the Bernabeu begins on Saturday at 18.15h (CET).