Spanish forward not ruled out of Barcelona’s must-win clash against FC Copenhagen – report

The UEFA Champions League’s league stage is set for a grandstand finish next week with as many as 13 teams competing for a place in the top-8.

Barcelona, sitting in ninth place, are serious contenders to finish in the top-8 and thereby skip an additional playoff round to directly qualify for the knockout stages.

In order to achieve that objective, however, they must win against Copenhagen next Wednesday at the Spotify Camp Nou, and do so with a massive goal difference to secure their place in the top-8.

Forward pushing to return

Will Flick risk Torres for the big game? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Hansi Flick’s side will enter the complicated fixture next week without both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, for the former is injured and the latter suspended. In such a situation, the team can do with every bit of help they can get.

SPORT, on that front, reports that Ferran Torres is not ruled out for the UCL game next week despite missing the team’s games against Slavia Prague and Real Oviedo.

The Spanish forward is Barcelona’s top scorer this season but faced muscle discomfort in his right leg which currently places him out of the team dynamics. He is a doubt for the Copenhagen clash, but far from ruled out.

Torres personally wishes to push himself back from injury and make himself available for a night when scoring goals will be more important than ever. Flick, however, is usually not an advocate of rushing players from injury irrespective of the situation.

It thus remains to be seen what decision the manager takes on Torres’ availability. A lot will depend on his recovery and sensations ahead of the game, but he is unlikely to start even if he does make it back to the squad in time for the game.

After all, Flick still has Lewandowski to count on and can opt to bring the ‘Shark’ in the second half as an impact substitute.