Confirmed: Flick makes first three pre-season cuts from Barcelona squad

FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made his first three pre-season cuts from the Barcelona squad, releasing Oscar Gistau, Ibrahim Diarra, and Alex Gonzalez from first-team duties. The trio will return to Barça Atletic dynamics and continue their training under Juliano Belletti at the club's training camp in La Vall d'en Bas (Girona).

All three players had been working with the first team during the month, along with 17 academy players from Barça Atletic and the Under-19s. Gistau, Diarra, and Gonzalez all traveled with the senior squad to St George's Park in England for Barcelona's pre-season training camp and made unofficial first-team debuts during a friendly against Birmingham City.

After their four-week stint with Flick, the three young players have since joined Barça Atletic and could feature in the upcoming friendly against Girona B on Saturday. Alex Gonzalez has impressed during the pre-season. Currently, 14 academy players remain with the first team as Flick prepares for the new season, which begins with a La Liga match against Elche on 23 August.