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Chapecoense crash survivor to return against Barcelona

July 28, 2017

Alan Ruschel, one of three Chapecoense players to survive the plane crash which killed 71 people last year, will make his comeback in a glamour friendly against Barcelona. He had back surgery following the disaster.

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Brasilien Freundschaftsspiel Chapecoense vs Palmeiras
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Almeida

Alan Ruschel (far right in the photo) survived the crash in Colombia that killed almost his team's entire squad and will return in the August 7 friendly against Barcelona.

Left back Ruschel spent over two weeks in hospital after the crash and underwent surgery on a back injury. 

"Alan's return marks an important step in his recuperation as well as for the club's reconstruction," Chapecoense said in a statement ahead of the match at the Nou Camp.

"Considering the importance and magnitude of this game… it was understood to be the ideal occasion for his return."

The plane carrying the Chapecoense squad to the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional crashed into the mountains outside Medellin last November, killing all but six of the 77 people on board.

Ruschel survived, along with defender Neto and goalkeeper Jakson Follmann, who had part of his leg amputated.

rtrs/mlm