In a chilling echo of past fitness woes, Barcelona’s crucial 4-2 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague was severely tempered by the sight of midfielder Pedri limping off the pitch with a hamstring injury, prompting a grim assessment from manager Hansi Flick.
The incident, occurring around the hour mark with the score tied at 2-2, immediately cast a shadow over the hard-fought win, with Flick later confirming to reporters, “It’s not good news”.
Following medical assessments in Barcelona on Thursday, the club confirmed the worst: Pedri suffered a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of his right leg and is expected to be sidelined for approximately one month.
The severity of the blow was palpable in Flick’s post-match comments. “I don’t know what he has exactly, but it’s the hamstring,” the German coach stated, his concern evident. He added, “It is what it is. Sometimes these things happen. I don’t know how long he will be out… We will see [on Thursday]”.
This diagnosis confirms a significant setback for a player whose career has been punctuated by muscular problems, though he had enjoyed a relatively healthy spell since Flick’s arrival in 2024. The one-month timeline means Pedri will miss pivotal domestic matches against Real Oviedo, Elche, Real Mallorca, and Girona, as well as the decisive final Champions League group stage clash with FC Copenhagen next Wednesday.
Flick now faces a critical tactical puzzle in assembling his midfield without one of its linchpins. Pedri’s absence is compounded by the suspension of Frenkie de Jong for the Copenhagen match, leaving a substantial creative void. In Prague, Flick turned to Dani Olmo as the immediate replacement, a move that paid instant dividends as Olmo scored a stunning goal just minutes after entering the fray.
Looking ahead, Flick’s options include deploying Olmo in a more advanced role alongside the in-form FermÃn López or opting for a more defensive setup with Eric GarcÃa, Marc Bernal, or Marc Casadó partnering in the center. Flick praised FermÃn, who scored twice against Slavia, saying, “Fermin is a fantastic player… he lives for Barca. I appreciate a lot what I saw today”.
Despite the injury blow, the victory in the Czech capital keeps Barcelona’s Champions League fate in their own hands. The result moved the team up to ninth in the league phase table, with the top eight securing automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Awin against Copenhagen at Camp Nou would likely propel them into that safe zone and avoid a tricky playoff round. Flick acknowledged the challenge, stating, “It won’t be easy to beat Copenhagen… maybe Pedri won’t play now, Frenkie will be suspended. But we will get Lamine [Yamal] back… and we have a good opportunity to make the top eight”.
The coming weeks will test Barcelona’s squad depth and Flick’s managerial ingenuity. As the club navigates a congested fixture list without its midfield maestro, the team’s ability to adapt will be crucial in maintaining their pursuit of success on both domestic and European fronts.