Official: Barcelona defensive duo receive medical discharge ahead of US tour

Amidst all the bad news regarding injuries to key players, FC Barcelona have been greeted with some good news on the fitness front today.

Indeed, full-back duo Alejandro Balde and Julian Araujo have received the discharge from the medical staff, the club have officially confirmed.

Balde has been out of action since January earlier this year after he suffered a hamstring injury during a Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Club.

The La Masia left-back went on to miss the entire second half of the season after having had to undergo surgery.

Balde had been working hard on his recovery during that period and started working under Hansi Flick’s staff earlier this month.

Now, he has officially received the green light from the medical staff ahead of Barça’s pre-season friendly against UE Olot later this evening before the team flies out to the US on Sunday.

As for Julian Araujo, the Mexican international spent the last season on loan at Las Palmas and suffered an injury towards the end of the campaign in May during a game against Cadiz.

The right-back has been working on his recovery at Barcelona since early June and has now finally been given the clean chit by the club’s medical department.

It will be interesting to see whether both Araujo and Balde get any minutes in tonight’s friendly against Olot or only return to the pitch when Barcelona play three games in the USA.