Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has been named in Barcelona‘s squad for the Champions League semifinal second leg against Chelsea after almost 10 months out injured, but Lucy Bronze has been ruled out with a knee problem.
Putellas has not played since tearing her ACL while with Spain preparing for last summer’s European Championships in July but is in line to make her long-awaited return to action at Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday.
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Bronze, meanwhile, will sit out the game after sustaining an injury in the 1-0 first leg win at Stamford Bridge last weekend. The England international underwent keyhole surgery on her right knee this week and will be out for a few weeks.
Caroline Graham Hansen’s goal gave Barca a slender lead going into the second leg, with the build up to the game focusing on Putellas’ possible return to action.
Barca goalkeeper Sandra Panos said it is “magic” to have the midfielder back in training but stressed the importance not to put too much pressure on her as she comes back from a long layoff.
“I am delighted for her,” Panos said. “The most important thing is that she feels good. I am so happy, though, because training with her every day is magic.
“But I don’t think it’s good for her that we put any pressure on her. We must remember the severity of the injury she had and putting more pressure on a player is not the right thing to do.”
