A new face from La Masia trains with Barcelona first-team squad today | OneFootball

Barcelona continued preparations for Monday’s La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano today at Ciutat Esportiva as they target a victory that will send them top of the table.

The Blaugrana were greeted by the return of Ronald Araujo, who did the full training with the group and is set to be available for tomorrow’s clash against Rayo at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

A new face in training

According to Mundo Deportivo, there was a new face from La Masia training with the Barcelona first-team setup today.

Indeed, teenage goalkeeping prospect Eder Aller worked with the senior team today under Hansi Flick in the absence of regular third-choice shot-stopper Diego Kochen.

As per the report, Kochen was absent as a precaution after suffering a knock during Barça Atletic’s 1-0 defeat to Zamora on Saturday.

Diego Kochen did not train with the senior team today. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In order to make up for his absence, Aller joined first-team goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena under the orders of Flick.

Kochen’s condition is being monitored, and his presence on the bench for tomorrow’s match will depend on his recovery.

In the absence of Kochen, it would usually be Ander Astralaga who fills in as the third choice, but he is currently recovering from tendonitis in his left ankle. As such, Aller got the opportunity to work with the first-team squad.

Aller, a native of Leon, developed at Cultural Leonesa, UD Benavides, and the Marcet Foundation, where he refined his skills before joining La Masia at 15.

Aller is regarded as one for the future, along with young Iker Rodriguez, who has already trained with the senior team.

It remains to be seen if he gets called up to the squad tomorrow for the Rayo clash or whether Kochen recovers in time to make the bench.