Ferran Torres will replace the injured Pedri when Barcelona and Villarreal take on Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday evening.
Barcelona will aim to continue the unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season when they lock horns with Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday evening. And Xavi Hernandez has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Pedri has sustained a hamstring injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. The Spanish international has joined Ronald Araujo in the treatment room. In addition, Raphinha is not a part of the travelling squad for the weekend’s game.
Xavi spoke about Pedri during his pre-match press conference, confirming it is a similar injury to the one he has previously sustained. He said, “The injury is similar to the one he had. We’ll see how he feels when he comes back.”
“He’s a player who takes care of himself, he’s done extraordinary work to gain muscle mass, but there are many variables: the games, the heat… What we try to do is prevent injuries and try to stop them from recurring. But it’s part of the game and sports in general.”
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In Pedri’s absence, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Ez Abde will have the opportunity to feature in the next few games. But Torres should pip Fati and Abde to the starting berth on Sunday. The Spanish international will accompany Gavi and Robert Lewandowski in the final third.
Barcelona will line up in a 3-4-3 formation against Villarreal on Sunday. But the system will morph into a 4-3-3 in different phases. That will enable Torres to play as a natural winger, with the right wing-back Lamine Yamal also playing a more advanced role.
But the teenage sensation will line up as a right wing-back on paper. And Alejandro Balde should be the other wing-back. As for the midfield unit, Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu will form a partnership in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Xavi’s decision to line his team up in a 3-4-3 formation means Frenkie de Jong will start as a centre-back again. The Dutchman will join Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen at the back. Finally, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will take his spot between the stick against Villarreal on Sunday.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Christensen, De Jong; Yamal, Romeu, Gundogan, Balde; Torres, Lewandowski, Gavi
