Barcelona hoping to have Spanish duo back in January due to heavy schedule

Barcelona’s poor luck with injuries has carried on from last season as they battle the absence of several key players. This has severely impacted their form as well, with Xavi being unable to field a consistent starting lineup at any point this season.

There were even periods when Barcelona were without five of their 11 starting players, with Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffering injuries.

Even right now, Barcelona are without Gavi, who is sidelined for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Ter Stegen’s back surgery has him out till February. Pedri and Inigo Martinez, meanwhile, are being treated for muscle injuries.

The Spanish duo are expected to be back post-holidays at some point, and Xavi is hoping for their return in January, as per a report by SPORT.

January comes with a terribly stacked schedule, with Barcelona right in the mix starting 3rd January with a trip to Las Palmas. They will take on Union Deportiva Barbastro in the Copa del Rey, before a trip to Saudi Arabia to face Osasuna in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals three days later.

While Inigo is expected to be back in time for the Super Cup, Pedri will likely be unavailable for the game. His injury, as always, was slightly more serious than initially anticipated. Reports even claim that he could be out till early February, but should definitely be available before Barcelona take on Napoli in the Champions League.

The star midfielder has only played eight games in the league this season, and three in the Champions League. This constant unavailability has cost Barcelona terribly in midfield, with Xavi having to field Oriol Romeu and Fermin Lopez, who are far from starting lineup quality.

Either way, Barcelona and Xavi will be hoping that Pedri enjoys a far healthier second half of the season so they can defend their title and go far in the Champions League.

Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-hoping-to-have-spanish-duo-back-in-january-due-to-heavy-schedule/

Author : Udhav Arora

Publish date : 2023-12-31 16:00:04

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.