Arthur & Cillessen return as Valverde picks strong Clasico squad

The first of two Clasicos in a week is around the corner. What a few days we have ahead of us. The first, as Ernesto Valverde said, is the focus now: Wednesday's Copa del Rey semifinal at the Santiago Bernabeu. A place in the final is up for grabs after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. The Barça coach said he wouldn't choose one or the other -- with Barça and Madrid meeting again at the Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday. 

After Tuesday's training session, Valverde had to decide whether to call up Jasper Cillessen and Arthur Melo. In his press conference, he said that "Arthur's progressing better than expected. We expected to have him back on Saturday but I am no ruling out [having him] tomorrow." On Cillessen, Ernesto said that: "[On Monday] he completed part of the training session and he looks good." 

After training, Valverde named his squad. Arthrur and Cillessen have both been cleared fit to return from their injuries and are in the second. The two January signings, Jeison Murillo and Kevin Prince Boateng (three if you include Jean Clair Todibo) have both been left out. Goalkeeper Inaki Pena is also named in the 19-man squad. 

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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) 26 de febrero de 2019