Barcelona's Cup Final Shuffle: Rashford's Mystery Absence and a Wave of Logistics Chaos

Training update ahead of the cup final

Two days before hosting Athletic Bilbao at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona coach Hans Flick conducted the first training session with all players who had been with their national teams. He stressed focus and tempo, and the group looked sharp, eager to prove their fitness ahead of a crucial run-in.

The English forward Marcus Rashford was absent from the session, not training with the group, despite being in the sports city yesterday, according to Mundo Deportivo. Team sources said there was no reason for alarm, as Barcelona already has experimenting options up front while Rashford rests.

Pedri continues training alone, and Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona youngster, is under protective measures as he recovers; Rafinha completed his third straight training session with the group and should have no problem joining the match list. Flick also kept a close eye on players returning from injury and stressed that steady progress matters more than rushing anyone back.

From Barca's academy, four key youth regulars from the reserves completed the training: Geoffroy Torrents, Dro, Tom Fernández, and Koshin. In addition, Dani Rodríguez, Tomás Márquez, and Guiem Víctor. The reserve stars trained with intent, showing eagerness to break into the first team and impress Flick in the days ahead.

Depth and academy notes; call-ups and positions

Mundo Deportivo suggested the two could join the first call-up if Flick deems it appropriate. 'Tommy' (Tomás Márquez) is a midfielder with solid stamina, typically deployed as a pivot, though he has also operated as an interior. Guiem Victor, Pau's brother, is versatile and has been used at right-back and also on the left wing.

Barcelona sit second in the Spanish league with 28 points from 12 matches: nine wins, one draw, two losses. They have scored 32 and conceded 15, currently three points behind Real Madrid. Fans will hope for a strong run in the league and a confident show in Europe.

Following the Bilbao fixture in the league, Barça head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday. Future of Ter Stegen

Barcelona await news on goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. Despite weeks of chatter about interest from several clubs, Barca has yet to receive an official bid. This even includes Besiktas, despite Fanatik claiming yesterday the Turkish club had already contacted Barcelona to negotiate a loan with wage coverage and a buyout option of eight million euros.

With Juan Garcia back in action, he will rejoin the starting XI on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao after a two-month absence, while Chesney remains as the backup keeper. Ter Stegen, still sidelined after back surgery last July, will need to find a way out in January.

For now, Barça hope the German keeper recovers well; once back with the squad, interested clubs are expected to start contacting the club to negotiate.

Additionally, his agents are already moving, aware Marcus wants to be at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, and his coach Julian Nagelsmann has told him he won’t start for Germany unless he plays regularly for a top club.

That is why there is a pressing need to map out his future before the medical clearance to return arrives, which might come within a month.

Cup Final chaos

Meanwhile, the Spanish Football Federation and Seville city council have been in talks since last Monday, after La Cartuja was chosen to host the next three Copa del Rey finals.

Marca reports the reason is the season's title decider, initially scheduled for April 25, a date matching Seville's fair in the Andalusian capital.

But logistical issues around transport, accommodation, and security, compounded by a MotoGP race weekend on the nearby Jerez-Angel Nieto circuit, may force plan changes or alternative options.

For La Cartuja, this season's final would be the seventh in a row to host the cup decider. The deal runs three years, so nine straight finals at the stadium, ten in Seville; the 2017-18 final was at Benito Villamarín. The Sevilla Fair this year could reshape the initial plan.

Sniper punchline 1: If a cup final is a riddle, Barca’s defense is the question mark that never finds the comma. Sniper punchline 2: Barcelona’s plan is simple—pass, press, and pray the whistle is late enough for a second cup of coffee.