Pedri will return to the Barcelona starting lineup when they take on local rivals RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday.
Barcelona will be eager to march towards the 2025/26 La Liga title when they lock horns with RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday night. Hansi Flick has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Pedri (calf) and Dani Olmo (shoulder) are fit and available to take on Espanyol after recovering from their injuries. Additionally, Flick has another player at his disposal, as Ronald Araujo is back after completing his indefinite break to deal with mental health issues.
However, Andreas Christensen and Gavi remain in the treatment room due to their long-term knee injuries. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided fitness updates on Pedri, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Araujo.
The Barcelona manager said, “Both [Olmo and Yamal] are ready for the derby. He [Araujo] is doing well. Physically he’s not at 100%, but he’s back and he’s important for us. He has to decide how fast he wants to go. For me, it’s clear. What I see and feel is that the team’s support is fantastic. He’s taken the time he needed. He’s on the right track.”
Meanwhile, Flick also discussed Eric Garcia’s positive impact, citing his versatility. He said, “We’ll see if he plays in midfield. He does a fantastic job. In defence and in midfield. We will decide tomorrow. He, along with Cubarsi and Gerard [Martin], forms a very solid triangle, and the defensive level we’re showing has been very good.”
Joan Garcia is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against his former club Espanyol this weekend. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Alejandro Balde.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri will line up alongside Frenkie de Jong in the double pivot, with Fermin Lopez reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Ferran Torres will lead the line for the away side against Espanyol, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal being the two wide attackers. So, Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski will be the backup options on the bench for the Blaugrana.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Ferran Torres
