Two Barcelona players Hansi Flick will turn to after Pedri’s injury | OneFootball

Pedri’s injury has come at the worst possible time for Barcelona, plunging Hansi Flick’s plans into uncertainty during a crucial stretch of the season. 

After their 1-2 defeat against Real Madrid, Barcelona have already lost valuable ground in La Liga, and the upcoming fixtures promise to be even more demanding. 

The Catalan giants are set to face Celta Vigo, Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid, and also have Champions League clashes against Club Brugge and Chelsea. 

Missing their midfield orchestrator during this intense run is nothing short of a major setback.

Barcelona will miss a crucial piece

Pedri has been a vital cog in Flick’s system, having featured in almost every match since the start of the campaign. 

The Spaniard has started all 13 official games this season and completed the full 90 minutes in eight of them, amassing a total of 1,099 minutes, which is the most by any Barcelona player so far. 

Marc Casado is the most likely option to replace Pedri in midfielder. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

His consistency and ability to dictate tempo have made him indispensable, but with his injury ruling him out until early December, the coach must now find creative solutions to keep the team competitive.

Who can replace Pedri?

Naturally, this opens the door for Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, two youngsters who stand to benefit most from Pedri’s absence. 

Flick is expected to rely on Casado, who could slot into the midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong, while Bernal, though talented, might have to wait a little longer. 

The German manager recently stated that the teenager still needs to continue improving in training before earning a regular role.

Still, the potential of both players is evident. Casado proved last season that he can step up when called upon, particularly during De Jong’s spell on the sidelines in the early months. 

As for Bernal, the 18-year-old has only featured four times this season, all as a substitute, but perhaps this injury crisis is the perfect moment for Flick to trust his young talent and give him the platform to shine.

If De Jong, Casado, and Fermin Lopez form the midfield against Elche, it will not only test Barcelona’s depth but also reveal the team’s adaptability in the absence of their midfield genius.