Barcelona should win towards Valencia if they’re to maintain their La Liga title hopes alive, however they’ve been dealt an enormous blow hours earlier than kick off with information that they’re anticipated to be with out one in every of their most essential gamers.
Pedri is coping with diarrhea and vomiting. He is not capable of play towards Valencia tonight. @mundodeportivo
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 26, 2025
In current months, Pedri has been one in every of Barcelona’s standout performers, and there are many indicators that he’s returning to the shape that he confirmed previous to his harm issues, which began in 2021. He has even seemed to beat these, and actually, he has featured in each aggressive match that Hansi Flick’s facet that performed this season – till now.
As reported by MD, it’s virtually sure that Pedri won’t be out there for choice when Barcelona tackle Valencia on the Estadi Olimpic on Sunday night time. The 22-year-old midfielder has been struggling with vomiting and diarrhoea within the final 24 hours, and barring a dramatic change in his well being within the lead-up to kick off, he won’t be thought of by Flick.
Pedri was anticipated to start out towards Valencia, regardless of hints from Hansi Flick in his pre-match press convention that the Spaniard could possibly be somebody that’s rested. Whereas it does imply that he can get a well-earned relaxation after a brutal run of fixtures to start out 2025, it’s horrible information for Barcelona’s probabilities of victory towards Los Che.
Nevertheless, it does current a possibility for somebody like Frenkie de Jong to earn a uncommon begin. He’s now virtually sure to be chosen by Flick, and he might line up alongside Marc Casado, who has been ever-present within the centre of midfield this season. Equally, it might imply that Gavi is utilised in a deeper function to accommodate the inclusion of Fermin Lopez or Pablo Torre, with Dani Olmo additionally unavailable towards Valencia due to harm.