Barcelona star midfielder Pedri has reportedly avoided a serious injury, although there are concerns that he could still be sidelined for some time.
Hansi Flick could not hide his horror at the sight of Pedri limping off an hour into Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Slavia Prague on Wednesday night. The German coach fretted after the match that “it’s no good news” to see his star player hobble away.
Dani Olmo emerged off the bench to thump in a staggering go-ahead goal in what turned out to be a 4–2 victory, yet the lose of Barcelona’s midfield maestro will still be keenly felt. However, initial fears have been partially allayed.
Pedri’s substitution is thought to have been largely precautionary and the injury is described as “not serious” by Mundo Deportivo. Yet, the same outlet hypothesises that the midfielder may still miss “a few weeks.”
How Barcelona go about replacing his sense of calm and control may prove to be one of Flick’s biggest challenges.
How Barcelona Can Replace Pedri
Marc Casadó
Barcelona are thought to be open to offers for Marc Casadó. | Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Flick had little reason to consider any system without Pedri last season. The diminutive midfielder appeared in 59 of Barcelona’s 60 matches across all competitions throughout a triumphant 2024–25 campaign. His fitness, which has been a problem in the past, hasn’t quite held up this term.
Pedri has missed six matches this season, prompting four different solutions which have produced mixed results. On half of these occasions, Eric García has been shifted forward from defense. The former Manchester City center back boasts innate defensive instincts and is very comfortable on the ball but doesn’t quite have that same control of tempo as his compatriot.
Flick, nevertheless, is satisfied with his efforts. “I think that at the level he’s playing and what he’s showing, he’s doing very well,” the German boss beamed. “He’s an important player in the dressing room, he loves this club.”
Midfielders Results
Eric García-Frenkie de Jong P2 W1 D0 L1
Marc Casadó-Frenkie de Jong P2 W1 D1 L0
Dani Olmo-Eric García-Fermín López P1 W1 D0 L0
Dani Olmo-Frenkie de Jong-Fermín López P1 W1 D0 L0
Marc Casadó should theoretically serve as the ready-made replacement for Pedri. The Masia graduate enjoyed a superb breakthrough campaign last term but has struggled for minutes this season, with his performances suffering from that lack of fluency. There have been speculative links of a winter switch for the 22-year-old, whose departure would not be as keenly felt as some other academy graduates.
It was telling that Flick turned to Olmo rather than Casadó when replacing Pedri on Wednesday night. A trio of the former, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López is an inherently attacking trident, but could work for Barcelona’s two upcoming home games against Real Oviedo and FC Copenhagen, a pair of clubs who are expected to sit back and challenge the Catalans to break them down.
Whoever Flick chooses, they will represent a downgrade on Pedri. As De Jong gushed earlier this season: “Anyone who’s next to him is going to feel comfortable because he’s very good. He solves a lot of things and always gives it to you in the best conditions.”
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