It’s been just 46 days since Eric Abidal had surgery to remove a tumour in his liver on March 17th, but the doctors have given him the all clear and he is in the squad for Tuesday’s game after training normally with the rest of the players this evening. Andrés Iniesta, who missed the first leg in Madrid and the weekend’s defeat in Anoeta, is also fit and has been called up for tomorrow.

Applause for Abidal

The first 15 minutes of the training session were open to the media and they were able to witness the squad form a big circle and give two big rounds of well deserved applause to Eric Abidal, who was given the medical all clear today and was immediately called into Guardiola’s 20-man squad for Tuesday’s game. Bojan also trained on the pitch, but apart from the rest of the group.

20 players called up

Iniesta is also back for the game after recovering from the calf strain that kept him out last week and at the weekend. In all, 16 first team squad players have been called up, along with B team players Oier, Bartra, Thiago and Sergi Roberto , who all trained with the first team this Monday. Barça’s normal reserve keeper Pinto, is suspended for the game.

Once the session was over, the players and back room staff went off to the Hotel W, where they will all stay the night, before returning to the Nou Camp for a final training session at noon on Tuesday.