Pedri and Frenkie de Jong had to leave the game in the first half of Barcelona’s La Liga match against Athletic Club due to injury.
Barca’s hopes of finishing second in La Liga after Girona’s 1-0 loss to Mallorca were raised going into their encounter with Athletic Club on Sunday night, but injuries rapidly dashed those hopes.
The first injury issue surfaced in the 25th minute when midfielder De Jong was taken off due to an ankle injury. The Dutch international was hurt when he landed awkwardly in the middle of the park after engaging in an aerial combat.
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Fermin Lopez took De Jong’s place in the Barcelona midfield since he was unable to leave on his own and had to be carried off on the back of an emergency vehicle.
Before the halftime siren, Xavi Hernandez’s team’s situation only got worse, necessitating the substitution of Pedri.
Fans of Barca should be alarmed to learn that Pedri may have suffered a hamstring injury after dropping deep to curl a pass to Raphinha on the flank.
Despite only being 21 years old, the Spain international has missed an incredible 72 games for club and country owing to hamstring problems in previous seasons. Pedri has already missed fifteen games this season because of muscular issues, and it looks like he will have to miss more time due to injury.
Due to De Jong and Pedri’s injuries, Xavi’s team is severely lacking in midfield talent; the only healthy midfielders on the team are Oriol Romeu, Sergi Roberto, Ilkay Gundogan, and Fermin Lopez.
