Alexia Putellas has been named to Barcelona’s roster for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Chelsea at home on Thursday. The announcement comes on the same day Putellas was medically cleared to return to play after tearing her ACL last July.
🤩 @alexiaputellas ha rebut l'alta mèdica! pic.twitter.com/z9MPEVrniD— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) April 26, 2023
🤩 @alexiaputellas ha rebut l'alta mèdica! pic.twitter.com/z9MPEVrniD
Barcelona took the first leg of the semifinal matchup, 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and will advance to the final with either a win or a draw.
Putellas hasn’t played since last summer, after tearing her ACL while playing for Spain ahead of the 2022 Women’s Euros.
The Spanish star has been training with the team for the last few weeks. A two-time Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Player award winner, Putellas is a key player in Barcelona’s midfield, but head coach Jonatan Giraldez would not guarantee her return to game action on Thursday.
“We will not take any risks with Alexia,” said Giraldez in his pre-match press conference. “The priority tomorrow is to qualify for the final. As a coach, I will not take any risk if she is not 100 percent.”