2 Barcelona stars train away from squad in pre-season

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Two leading members of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona were put through individualised training sessions at the club’s base on Wednesday.

This comes amid their respective efforts to regain full fitness.

The first Blaugrana star comes in the form of Alejandro Balde. Left-back Balde has been placed under a strict routine by new fitness coach Benjamin Kugel.

As per a report from Mundo Deportivo :

‘The club is designing specific programs for certain players with the aim of optimizing their performance and preventing muscle problems during preseason.’

Balde, who has long struggled to maintain fitness over lengthy periods, has therefore not yet been given the green light to join full training with the rest of Hansi Flick’s squad.

And in a similar position at present is defensive partner Ronald Araújo.

Stopper Araújo is fresh off an altogether disappointing summer at the World Cup with Uruguay. Owing to a niggling calf complaint, the 27-year-old failed to take to the pitch even once in North America.

It should in turn come as little surprise to hear of maximum caution being exercised, with Barcelona’s coaching staff having also designed an individualised workout routine for Araújo at the Ciutat Esportiva.

Conor Laird – GSFN