BARCELONA
Barça’s Pedri and de Jong injured: how long will they be out? Will they play against Napoli in the Champions League?
The Barcelona midfield duo both suffered injuries in the first half of Sunday’s draw at Athletic Club with the crucial UCL clash around the corner.
Barcelona missed the chance to move to within six points of LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in Sunday’s draw against Athletic Club in Bilbao and suffered double disappointment as midfield duo Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were both forced off in the first half. Immediately, thoughts turned to their availability for the UEFA Champions League tie against Napoli, which hangs in the balance going into the second leg.
De Jong’s ankle injury after awkward landing
De Jong lasted just 26 minutes before being replaced by Fermín López. The Dutchman appeared to twist his ankle after landing awkwardly following a clash in midfield with Athletic’s Unai Gómez. He had to be carted off the field after being unable to put pressure on it and was later spotted using crutches at Bilbao airport as Barça prepared to travel back to Catalonia.
The former Ajax midfielder underwent tests on Monday to confirm the extent of the injury, with the results showing he had suffered a grade 2 ankle sprain, which is expected to keep him out for between three to four weeks.
Pedri suffers third thigh injury of the season
Pedri, meanwhile, had to go off just before half-time, with Lamine Yamal taking his place. Unlike his teammate, the 21 year old did leave the field unaided but was in floods of tears as he faced up to yet another thigh muscle injury. The Spanish international has already had two spells on the sidelines because of the problem this season, in which he has missed 15 matches.
The ex-Las Palmas youngster was also assessed on Monday, with tests revealing he had “an injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh”. Although the club haven’t confirmed how long he will be out, sources have told AS it will be five or six weeks before he is back in action.
Which matches will de Jong and Pedri miss?
In his post-match press conference, Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández confirmed the injuries “didn’t look good” and that he imagined both players would be absent “for several matches,” which now looks certain to be the case.
Barça are at home to Mallorca in LaLiga in their next month (Saturday 8 March) and then face Napoli in the Champions League the following Wednesday (12 March). The tie is level at 1-1 after the first leg in Italy.
The Catalans then travel to Atlético Madrid on Sunday 17 March, a game which could be crucial if they are to have any hope of featuring in the title race. As it stands, they are eight points behind Madrid with 11 matches left to play. If Barcelona make it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Pedri looks almost certain to miss the first leg, which will be played on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 April.