Barcelona key defender back in training ahead of Borussia Dortmund clash | OneFootball

Barcelona were left without one of their key defenders, Inigo Martinez, for the La Liga clash against Real Betis this past Saturday.

The 33-year-old veteran had trained normally leading up to the game after finishing the Atletico Madrid encounter with some overload.

However, he ended up missing the match against the Verdiblancos, which ended in a 1-1 draw, due to a minor injury in his glutes.

Martinez back in training normally

However, heading into the UEFA Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund this week, SPORT reports that Inigo Martinez is back in training with the squad.

There is plenty of optimism about his return for Wednesday’s clash, as his absence on Saturday was largely precautionary.

Set to return this week. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick did not want to take any risk, however minor, with one of his key central defenders.

Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi started in the weekend league match, but it is expected that the Uruguayan will make way for Inigo as Flick looks to restore his preferred back four.

Barcelona expect both Monday and Tuesday’s training sessions to confirm Martinez’s full fitness before he is granted the medical discharge.

The Catalans have already recovered another injured defender, Andreas Christensen, who finally received the all-clear from the medical department for Saturday’s clash vs Real Betis and was among the substitutes.

It would mean that the Blaugrana would be left without only three players – Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Dani Olmo for the first leg of the quarter-final tie at Montjuic, with the latter expected to be back for the second leg.