Ter Stegen absent from Barca training again

Coach Hansi Flick oversaw the first of two sessions on Tuesday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, but goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was absent for the second day running. As on Monday, the first day of pre-season, the 33-year-old German was working in the gym away from the main group.

Ter Stegen, still the Barca captain, missed most of last season with a serious knee injury and has returned from his holidays aware that the Catalan club would prefer him to find a new team to guarantee him a starting place in a World Cup year.

Barcelona currently have three other goalkeepers in the squad: Wojciech Szczesny, who was the first choice last year and has just renewed his contract until 2027; Iñaki Peña, who is looking for a team; and Joan García, signed from Espanyol for the 25 million euros of his release clause, is Flick's bet as first-choice goalkeeper.

Academy player Dani Rodríguez also did not train as normal, as he continues his recovery from the dislocated right shoulder he suffered in early May on his first-team debut away at Valladolid.

The other 34 players who underwent medicals on Sunday - including the other nine youth players chosen by Flick to take part in pre-season with the first team - trained as normal under the German coach.

Barcelona will train at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper until 24 July, when they will begin their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea. The Azulgranas will play their first summer friendly on 27 July against Vissel Kobe.