Barcelona head coach Jonatan Giraldez has not completely ruled out FIFA’s Best Women’s Player Alexia Putellas playing in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea later this week.

The Barca captain has not played since sustaining an ACL injury before the European Championships last year but she is on the comeback trail after nine months on the sidelines. When asked whether there was a possibility that Putellas could return to the matchday squad on Thursday, Giraldez replied:

“It’s not the time to talk about whether I’m optimistic or not, she has to come back in the best possible way. We’ll see how we get to the decisive match at Camp Nou. I don’t want to put any pressure on Alexia. We’ll see, we’ll see how she is in training during the week and the decision will be made nearer the second leg.”

Putellas did not make the team for the first leg at Stamford Bridge last weekend. However, Barcelona did fine without her, with Giraldez’s side getting a 1-0 win to take back with them to Spain.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes says she was happy that her team are not out of the tie, but they do face an uphill task going into the second game. It would be a famous comeback if they do secure victory at the Camp Nou.