EL CLÁSICO
What is the problem with Pedri? Why does he keep breaking down?
The Spanish midfielder has missed 34% of the games since he arrived at Barcelona due to injuries. Bale missed 25% of games for Real Madrid.
Pedri was not available to play in this weekend’s Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is the fourth Clásico in a row that he has missed. Last season the Spain international missed the second match-up of the season in LaLiga and both Copa del Rey semi-final games. The last time he featured for the Blaugrana was on 20 August against Cádiz, a game in which he also managed to score. Just a week later he picked up a thigh problem in training.
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Pedri’s problem, greater than Bale’s?
Pedri was originally expected to be out for only five weeks, but in the end, he will be out for over two months. His first season at Barcelona involved over 70 games, including the Euros with Spain, as well as the Olympic Games and all of Barcelona’s games, a load at only 18 that has been felt in the following three seasons. Since that season, the Canary Islander has spent a large part of seasons on the sidelines, something not unlike Gareth Bale at Real Madrid.
Pedri’s nightmare run
Since the midfielder arrived at Barcelona, his team has played a total of 168 games, of which the Canary Islander has played 111 and already missed 57, not counting the national team matches. In total, Pedri has been out for 34% of matches due to injury. He is feeling the physical strain of the 2020/21 season. One player who was always in the spotlight because of injuries was Bale. The Welshman, despite having that reputation, in his first 168 games for Madrid, has better stats than the Canary Islander. He ‘only’ missed 25% of games through injury, 9% less than Pedri.
Fear of a relapse
Xavi, before the Champions League match on Wednesday, showed that within the club there is concern about a possible relapse for Pedri and they want to take care of him. “We avoid relapses, the player’s feelings are key. That would be fatal on a mental level,” Xavi said.
Injuries are not allowing an outstanding player to shine regularly for the reigning league champions. It remains to be seen if he will be missed against Real Madrid today.