Victory at a Heavy Cost
Barcelona secured a vital three points in the Champions League, but the night ended in concern rather than celebration. While Barcelona vs Slavia Prague finished in a thrilling 4-2 victory for the Catalans, the headline story is a significant injury blow to midfield maestro Pedri.
Hansi Flick’s side showed resilience to overcome a hostile atmosphere and defensive errors, keeping their hopes of a direct Top 8 finish alive. However, the sight of their number 8 limping off in the second half has cast a shadow over the result.
Pedri Faces a Month Out
The turning point occurred around the 60th minute when Pedri collapsed to the turf without contact. The medical team immediately attended to him before helping him off the field.
- The Diagnosis: Hansi Flick confirmed post-match that Pedri suffered a hamstring issue. Reports from AS journalist Javi Miguel indicate a tear in the right biceps femoris.
- The Timeline: Early assessments suggest the midfielder will be sidelined for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. This is a cruel blow, distinct from his previous left leg injury in October, but it leaves Barcelona scrambling for solutions in midfield.
Fermin and Olmo Step Up
Despite the emotional blow of the injury, Barcelona’s depth players delivered on the pitch.
- The MVP: Fermin Lopez was the standout performer. The youngster scored twice to control the game, cementing his place as the likely starter in Pedri’s absence.
- The Super Sub: Dani Olmo replaced the injured Pedri and made an immediate impact, scoring moments after coming on to restore the lead at 3-2.
- The Redemption: Robert Lewandowski, who had earlier scored an own goal, found the right net late on to seal the 4-2 victory.
A Tactical Shuffle Required
Nova Sports News analysts note that while the win keeps Barcelona in contention for a direct Round of 16 spot (pending a result against Copenhagen), the focus now shifts to the treatment room.
With Pedri out, Flick must restructure his engine room. Fermin Lopez is a lock for the advanced role, but the deeper pivot alongside Frenkie de Jong remains an open question. Options include dropping Olmo deeper or trusting youngsters like Marc Bernal or Marc Casado. With a tight La Liga title race against Real Madrid (only 1 point gap) and a home clash against Real Oviedo looming, Flick’s tactical flexibility will be tested to the limit.
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