Pedri of FC Barcelona will not play against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday and has been ruled out of El Clasico according to Spanish media.
The number “8” pulled up hurt in a 2-2 tie with Manchester United at Camp Nou on February 16, so it was generally anticipated that he would return from a thigh knock this weekend.
Pedri returned to training this week and was thought to be making good progress.
According to reports, the 20-year-old would perform “selected” work over the coming days before taking a test on Saturday to assess whether or not he would be able to play in the largest derby in football.
Pedri, though, was reportedly unable to complete a training session on Friday afternoon and exited the field with a “visible face of concern,” as AS reported.
Afterward, it was confirmed by Madrid-based daily sports newspaper AS that Pedri had suffered a “KO” and would not participate in Sunday’s game, which might very well determine who wins the La League championship this year.
Additionally, during the impending international break, which begins next week, Pedri won’t be able to report for duty with the Spain national team.
The recent setback for Pedri may have an impact on Xavi Hernandez’s first-team lineup.
The head coach was predicted to use the same four-man midfield configuration that helped his team win the Spanish Super Cup final 3-1 in Riyadh in January against Real Madrid.
According to reports, having Pedri back is equivalent to Barcelona announcing a new signing ahead of El Clasico.
Barcelona has lost both of its games without him, losing to Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga. It is obvious that Barca has missed the playmaker’s attacking midfield influence.
Franck Kessie is set to replace him, allowing Xavi to deploy a 4-3-3 with Ferran Torres possibly on the left wing or four midfielders.
When Xavi has his pre-game press conference on Saturday, he will undoubtedly be questioned about what has happened with Pedri’s recovery process and what his preparations are for the game, which if Barca wins will give them a 12-point advantage over the opponents.
How Good Is Pedri?
Pedri, also known as Pedro González López, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga team Barcelona and the Spain national team. He was born on November 25, 2002.
At the 2021 Ballon d’Or event, FIFA presented him with the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy honor.
He is regarded as one of the world’s top young players.
Pedri typically plays in a free midfield position, which gives him the freedom to move over the field. He prefers to occupy central areas and work between the lines, but he can also move out wide and sprint to the sidelines to set up opportunities for teammates.
Pedri is a quick, intelligent, artistic, and diligent player who is renowned for his excellent technical skills, ball control, passing, awareness, and vision, as well as his ability to manage himself in confined spaces, take advantage of openings, and play the ball or play penetrating passes, which makes him an effective playmaker.
Also, he is well-known for his dribbling prowess, stamina, cool head under pressure, and versatility on the field.
When Is The Next El Clasico?
The fourth El Clasico of the season will take place on March 19, 2023, with kickoff set for 20:00 (CET).
The anticipated La Liga meeting between the two Spanish powerhouses will take place at Camp Nou.
The forthcoming Clasico games are listed below. Please be aware that fixtures could change.
| Date | Fixture | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2, 2023 | Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona | Copa del Rey | Santiago Bernabeu |
| March 19, 2023 | Barcelona vs Real Madrid | La Liga | Camp Nou |
| April 5, 2023 | Barcelona vs Real Madrid | Copa del Rey | Camp Nou |
