"Flick is not in favour of pushing anyone through physical issues, particularly at this stage of the season, where a short-term gain could easily lead to a longer absence. For the good Pedri had already raised doubts on Friday after failing to train with the group due to a strain in his left calf. From that moment, his involvement against Villarreal was considered unlikely."
"Javier Miguel reports that the final call was made after the most recent training session, following a joint discussion between Flick, the player himself, and the medical staff. The outcome was unanimous that Pedri would not travel with the squad. With the Spaniard now officially out, Barcelona's midfield plans are expected to change accordingly. Frenkie de Jong is set to step into the starting XI, partnering Eric Garcia in the deeper midfield roles."
"What happened to Pedri? The discomfort Pedri is experiencing appears to stem from the final minutes he played against CD Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey. While the issue also affects the soleus and hamstring area, Barcelona remain confident that rest will be enough. The club's priority is to have Pedri fully available for the derby against Espanyol on January 3."
Pedri will miss Barcelona's La Liga match against Villarreal due to a left-leg soleus overload. Medical staff do not consider the condition serious. The decision to exclude Pedri was precautionary because of his recent workload and importance to the team. Hansi Flick prioritises prevention and avoided risking a key player's fitness at this stage of the season. Pedri missed a Friday training session with a left calf strain, and a joint decision with Flick and medical staff led to him not travelling. Frenkie de Jong is expected to start in a deeper midfield role. The issue likely arose late in the Copa del Rey match versus CD Guadalajara, and Barcelona expect rest to be sufficient ahead of the Espanyol derby on January 3.
Read at Barca Universal
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