Barcelona will be forced to cope without Pedri once again after fresh fitness concerns interrupted what had been his most consistent campaign in years. Head coach Hansi Flick confirmed the midfielder will miss the final fixture of the calendar year away to Villarreal, despite recently returning earlier than expected.
Barcelona will be forced to cope without Pedri once again after fresh fitness concerns interrupted what had been his most consistent campaign in years. Head coach Hansi Flick confirmed the midfielder will miss the final fixture of the calendar year away to Villarreal, despite recently returning earlier than expected.
After overcoming the injury problems that disrupted the previous two seasons, Pedri had enjoyed an extended spell on the pitch before muscle discomfort resurfaced. Although he made a swift comeback earlier this month and featured against Atletico Madrid, Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt, his absence from Friday’s training session raised concerns.
Those doubts were addressed by Flick before the Villarreal encounter. The German coach revealed that the issue involves Pedri’s hamstring and acknowledged his frustration at losing such a key figure. Flick explained that while the Spaniard might have been able to take part, the danger of aggravating the problem was too great, potentially sidelining him for a lengthy period.
Expanding on the decision, Flick stressed the importance of protecting the midfielder’s long-term fitness. He stated that Pedri requires treatment and cannot train properly at present, making participation impossible. The coaching staff therefore opted against taking any chances.
Flick added that the focus is on having Pedri available for upcoming commitments after the break, including the derby against Espanyol and the Spanish Super Cup. While acknowledging the significance of the Villarreal match, he underlined that the squad has enough depth and ability to cope in his absence.
In recent outings, Barcelona’s midfield configuration has seen Eric Garcia deployed as the holding player rather than Frenkie de Jong. Flick explained this adjustment was aimed at improving composure and structure, praising Garcia’s recent performances in that role. He also noted that de Jong accepted the situation professionally, highlighting his quality and ongoing importance to the group.
With Pedri unavailable, de Jong is expected to come back into the lineup alongside Garcia. Flick also confirmed positive news elsewhere, stating that Robert Lewandowski is fully recovered after sitting out the previous two matches, providing Barcelona with an additional boost as they close out the year.
