Barcelona manager Hansi Flick announced Pedri is set to return from injury against Alavés on Saturday, providing a crucial boost amid recent Champions League struggles and rising pressure on the team.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated (SI), Barcelona manager Hansi Flick confirmed a significant injury boost ahead of Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Alavés, as star midfielder Pedri is “in line to make his return.”
Pedri has been unavailable for the team’s last five matches across all competitions, having served a one-game suspension following a sending off in October’s defeat to Real Madrid while simultaneously battling a hamstring injury.
While Barcelona managed to win all three La Liga games in Pedri’s absence, their Champions League fortunes faltered, culminating in the 3–0 loss to Chelsea which “landed extreme pressure on Flick’s shoulders.”
Flick confirmed the 23-year-old’s imminent return, stating: “He’ll get some playing time, but not from the start. We’ll see, he might play some minutes in the first half.”
The report notes that officials plan only a brief cameo to avoid rushing the “influential midfielder” back, with the goal of preparing him for upcoming crucial La Liga meetings with Real Betis and Atlético Madrid.
Flick believes the return of Pedri, along with Raphinha and Marcus Rashford’s gradual comebacks, will provide the necessary response to the Chelsea loss.
He also defended his defensive philosophy, stressing: “The blame seems to fall on the defense, but that’s not fair. If we don’t all press effectively, we’ll have problems, I want to make that clear.”