Barcelona could receive a triple fitness boost as they prepare for today’s last-day La Liga showdown with leaders Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp.
Barca trail their visitors by three points at the head of the table and victory would see them crowned champions by virtue of a superior head to head record against Atletico, following a goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon in January.
Although Carles Puyol has been ruled out, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Neymar all joined training on Friday in a bid to return from long-term injuries.
Even if they are passed fit, their lack of match practice or even full training sessions will give manager Tata Martino a dilemma as to whether to name any of them in the starting line-up for what will almost certainly be his last game in charge.
Neymar’s inclusion, in particular, could act as a big psychological boost as the Brazilian starlet is the only Barcelona player to have scored against Atletico in the five meetings between the teams so far this season, which ended with four draws and one Atletico win.
Barca boss Martino suggested his returning trio could all feature, saying: “They’re probably not in the best shape, but they don’t have to play six games – it’s a one-off.”
Martino continued to refuse to admit that he is set to leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season, even though Luis Enrique’s departure from Celta Vigo has now been confirmed, simply stating: “I haven’t said I’m going anywhere yet.”
Instead, he preferred to focus on his team’s chances of gaining a title triumph that has been repeatedly written off as close to impossible in the last few weeks.
“It’s a unique opportunity to play a ‘final’ at home,” said the Argentine boss. “Winning a hard-fought title like this could be the players’ first trophy as normal people rather than out-of-this world superstars.
“It’s been a very difficult season. The players deserve it for their dedication, fight and bravery.”
Despite his team’s struggles against Atletico so far this season, Martino isn’t planning a new tactical approach for today’s encounter, joking: “What we can expect to see in this match isn’t going to vary compared to the previous encounters, unless I play Pinto up front.”
And he insisted Atletico’s success against Barca this season doesn’t give them a psychological edge, adding: “Precedents don’t count for anything. The emotional state of this game will be very different.”
Above all else, Martino is hoping that his team can score the first goal of the game – something they haven’t managed in this season’s five meetings with Atletico.
“Teams who have Atletico’s style of play are much more uncomfortable when they have to pull a goal back than when they’re ahead,” the Barca boss said.
