Barcelona draw up roadmap to recover midfield maestro’s best version in time for Atletico Madrid clash | OneFootball

Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri has been out of action for almost a month now, having suffered a hamstring injury in the UEFA Champions League game against Slavia Prague.

While the Catalans had coped fairly well with his absence, the last two games have shown how much they miss the midfielder’s presence on the pitch.

Indeed, Pedri’s absence was glaringly felt in the Blaugrana’s losses against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg and Girona in La Liga.

Pedri close to returning, roadmap drawn

Now, according to SPORT, Pedri continues to work individually at the club’s training facilities despite Hansi Flick giving the Barcelona squad two days off after the Girona loss.

And, the manager Flick drawn up a roadmap to recover the best version of Pedri ahead of the Cup.

The midfielder aims to meet the projected recovery timetable and return to action later this weekend when Barcelona face off against Levante in La Liga.

Close to returning. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Unlike previous occasions, the Spaniard has handled this setback better. Those around him have noticed a more positive attitude throughout the recovery process. He has followed the prescribed programme closely and is now close to returning.

The initial aim is for him to play between 15 and 20 minutes in his return to league action. That would be the first stage, and if all goes well, he could be included in the squad and start regaining competitive rhythm for the upcoming fixtures.

After Levante, Barça will have another free week, and those days will be important for Pedri to continue building match fitness. The next stop would be Villarreal, and the intention would be for him to complete half a match.

If he passes these tests without setbacks, Pedri would be ready for the date circled in red in the dressing room: the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico at Camp Nou on 3 March.

To attempt what would be a remarkable comeback from 4-0 against Atletico, Flick will require his best midfielder and the aim is to restore his top version by then after a month out with injury.