Barcelona's coaching staff, the leaders of the Spanish football league, have received a major blow at a crucial point in the season, with the confirmation that midfielder Pedri will be sidelined for a full month. This shocking news comes as a setback to the Catalan team's recent winning streak, which included a resounding European victory.
Injury details and medical report
In an official statement released on Thursday, the Catalan club announced that thorough medical tests conducted that morning confirmed the player had suffered a muscle tear in his right hamstring. The 23-year-old international sustained the injury during the second half of Wednesday's Champions League match against Slavia Prague, which Barcelona won 4-2.
List of matches the maestro will miss
Pedri's absence will leave a significant void in the squad for the next four weeks, a period packed with crucial matches. Domestically and in Europe, Barcelona will be without their playmaker for the following fixtures:
- Champions League: The final match of the unified group stage against Copenhagen of Denmark next week, as the team seeks to improve its position (ninth place with 13 points).
- Spanish League (La Liga): Risky encounters against Real Oviedo, Elche, the Catalan derby against Girona, and the match against Real Mallorca.
- Spanish King's Cup: If Barcelona overcome Albacete (second division) on February 3, Pedri will also miss the first leg of the semi-final.
The battle for the top spot and the floundering of the traditional rival
This injury comes at a time when the battle for the top spot in La Liga is heating up, with Barcelona leading with 49 points, just one point ahead of their arch-rivals Real Madrid (48 points). Any slip-up in Pedri's absence could cost the team the lead.
On the other hand, rivals Real Madrid are going through a difficult transition period, having been surprisingly knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Albacete (3-2). This match also marked the debut of new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso. This situation puts added pressure on Barcelona to capitalize on their rivals' stumbles, a task that has become even more difficult now without one of the team's key players.
