Official: Umtiti tests negative for COVID, could play for Barcelona vs Mallorca

Barcelona will restart their 2021/22 La Liga campaign after the mid-season break on Sunday when they face RCD Mallorca.

Leading up to the game, the Catalans’ squad has been ravaged by injury problems and positive coronavirus cases, leaving Xavi Hernandez thinly stretched in terms of his options for selection for the game.

Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Balde, Dani Alves, Samuel Umtiti, Gavi, Ousmane Dembele, Ez Abde, Philippe Coutinho, and Sergino Dest had all returned positive tests ahead of the contest in Mallorca.

However, in somewhat of a boost, Barcelona have confirmed that Umtiti took a PCR test and has tested negative for coronavirus on the eve of the game. The French defender has been given the all-clear to return to training, putting him in contention to feature on Sunday night.

An official statement released by the club read: “FC Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti has taken a PCR test for Covid-19 and the result is negative, meaning he is able to return to training. The club has informed the corresponding authorities. The Frenchman is hence available for selection by Xavi for the first game of 2022 against Mallorca.”

The 28-year-old has featured just one time across all competitions this season. While Xavi has Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Oscar Mingueza available for the game, the absence of full-backs on either side could force Araujo and Mingueza to line up out wide.

In such a scenario, Umtiti could get a look-in in case Xavi decides to use a three-man defence or is forced to switch things up during the game.