More fear than harm for Jules Koundé. Hit in the back of the right thigh and forced to request a change during the match against Villarreal (victory, 0-2), the FC Barcelona defender underwent in-depth examinations which ruled out any serious injury. According to Sporthe only suffers from a slight stretch of the right biceps femoris and should be restored within two weeks, a time frame compatible with participation in the Spanish Super Cup. A return from the derby against Espanyol on January 3 is not completely ruled out, depending on its progress.
Barça could also record other important returns for this meeting. Dani Olmo should be available again after a month of absence linked to a dislocation of the right shoulder, just like Pedri, affected by an overload on the soleus of the left leg. On the other hand, uncertainty remains regarding Ronald Araújo, still out for an indefinite period. The only certain absence against Espanyol will be that of Gavi.
