Barcelona has announced that key midfielder Pedri will likely be out for about a month following his red card during the Champions League match against Slavia Prague. Coach Hansi Flick provided a concerning update on the Spain international, who had just completed just over an hour of play before sustaining the injury, acknowledging it as “not good news” for the team missing one of its top players.
Thrilling 6-goal match: Barcelona triumph in chilly Prague
Pedri contributed significantly in a high-energy game held on a cold evening in the Czech capital, witnessing Barcelona fall behind early. However, Fermín López quickly turned the tide with two goals in just eight minutes during the first half.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski also scored an own goal, leaving the match level at halftime. Pedri, who had been performing well, was substituted in the 61st minute for Dani Olmo.
Less than two minutes after coming on, Olmo scored, restoring Barça’s lead, followed by Lewandowski rectifying his earlier mistake by adding to his own tally, marking the start of his goal-scoring for the 2025-26 European season.
Pedri’s injury raises further concerns about his hamstring issues
Flick expressed concern about Pedri’s injury, stating the prognosis appeared grim. When asked for details about the 23-year-old midfielder, he noted, “I’m not clear on the specifics, but it’s related to the hamstring. These things happen, and we cannot predict how long he’ll be out. It’s unfortunate news, and we’ll have more information soon.”
Pedri has dealt with various injuries since his early days at Barça, particularly muscle-related issues. Although he previously avoided injury under Flick, hamstring troubles have caused him to miss multiple matches, including five in October and one in December due to a calf strain.
Barcelona confirmed the injury in a statement, indicating, “Tests conducted this morning revealed that Pedri suffered a muscle injury to the biceps femoris of his right leg during the match against Slavia Prague. He is projected to be out for approximately one month.”
Fermín López shines again for Barça in Champions League
Barcelona performed impressively even without Fermin López against Slavia Prague. Following his Champions League hat-trick against Olympiakos in October, López, at 22, has now scored in double figures across all competitions this season.
Flick praised the academy product, stating, “Fermin is an exceptional player. It was vital for both him and the club that he stayed here last summer, as he is deeply connected to Barça. I am very pleased with what I witnessed today.”
With this victory, Barça climbed to ninth in the Champions League standings, with only the top eight teams advancing automatically to the knockout stage. They have one match remaining to secure a place, facing FC Copenhagen at Camp Nou on January 28th.
Coach Flick is eager for his team to triumph in that matchup to maintain their momentum and avoid the prospect of a play-off to stay in continental contention.
Flick commented, “It won’t be easy to beat Copenhagen. We’re uncertain about Ferran (Torres) returning, Pedri will likely be out, and Frenkie (De Jong) will be suspended. However, Lamine (Yamal) is back, which is a positive. We have a solid chance to reach the top eight. Despite a rocky start, we have an opportunity in our last match to get where we aim to be.”
Yamal returns: Wonder Kid back from suspension
Teenage sensation Yamal, who missed the match against Slavia due to a suspension after receiving three yellow cards in the Champions League this season, is expected to return for Sunday’s home match against Real Oviedo.
Barcelona enters this upcoming match at the top of the La Liga standings, just one point ahead of rivals Real Madrid. Following a recent 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad in their latest league outing, Flick’s side will be looking to bolster their position and address lingering uncertainties.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer fans, as Pedri’s absence could impact Barcelona’s performance in both domestic and European competitions, underscoring the importance of player fitness in a grueling season. Additionally, Fermin López’s emergence as a consistent scorer could renew excitement and hope among supporters as they navigate potential challenges ahead.
