Umtiti in the spotlight as Barça train in Lyon before Champions League clash
The defender returns to the place he used to call home
Samuel Umtiti was, without doubt, the centre of attention as Ernesto Valverde's 21-man squad trained in France on Monday. The Barcelona defender is celebrating a return to fitness with a return home to Lyon, the club he was signed from, for Tuesday's Champions League game.
Barça trained at Lyon's stadium, known as the OL Stadium in Europe and the Groupama in domestic games (due to UEFA rules), on Monday. The pitch is in perfect competition. The stadium opened in 2016 for the European Championships. Barça have never played there before.
Umtiti is especially well thought of back in Lyon, where he came through the academy. He greeted all the employees who experience all his success with him and also suffer his injuries with him.
His return to Lyon, in addition, coincides with a return to fitness. It's even been speculated he could play his first minutes since November against his old side. Valverde's giving nothing away ("we will see"), but just being in the squad has brought a smile back to Samuel's face. There's a chance he's in the final 18-man squad on Tuesday, too.
MOTIVATED Messi
Umtiti aside, Lionel Messi was very focused during the session at the OL Stadium. The Argentine is massively motivated to win the Champions League and is aware that he could be key in helping Barça into the quarterfinals.
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