Huge blow for Barcelona as star midfielder not training with the group just days before a crucial La Liga trip to Villarreal.
The Catalan giants kicked off their preparations at the Ciutat Esportiva this Friday morning, with the squad reconvening after a rest day to fine-tune tactics and physical conditioning for Sunday’s high-stakes clash at La Cerámica against a Yellow Submarine outfit that has troubled them before.
Yet in a worrying development that has sent ripples through the Camp Nou camp, one of the team’s most pivotal midfield architects was conspicuously absent from the collective session, opting instead for a personalised recovery programme amid ongoing management of his physical load.
This precautionary step underscores the delicate balance Barcelona must strike in protecting their key assets during a gruelling schedule packed with league fixtures, Copa del Rey commitments, and continental aspirations, where every available minute on the pitch from their creative fulcrum could prove decisive.
That absentee is Pedri, who continues to follow an individual programme as he still feels the physical load of his relentless schedule since returning from his latest muscle injury, as reported by Diario Sport.
The plan had initially been for the Spaniard to rest this week after the demanding clash against Osasuna, yet he was forced to come off the bench in Guadalajara for 15 decisive minutes to help turn the game, once again underlining how indispensable he is.
Friday’s session saw the rest of the group begin tactical and physical preparation for Villarreal, while Pedri arrived later at the facilities to continue his tailored recovery work.
Since returning, the midfielder has been used almost without pause, making this latest cautionary step both logical and necessary for a player widely regarded as the heartbeat of Flick’s project.
Without him at full tilt, Barcelona’s midfield balance and creativity inevitably suffer, adding extra intrigue to the build-up for Sunday night’s test against the Yellow Submarine.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
