Both Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were forced off with injuries during the first half of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Athletic Club.
Barca had gone into Sunday evening’s meeting with Athletic Club buoyed by the opportunity to go second in the La Liga table following Girona’s 1-0 defeat to Mallorca, however optimism was quickly scuppered by injuries.
In the 25th minute the first injury concern reared its ugly head, with midfielder De Jong being forced off with an ankle ailment. The injury occurred when the Dutch international landed awkwardly after contesting an aerial duel in the middle of the park.
De Jong was unable to walk off on his own accord, instead having to be carted off on the back of an emergency vehicle – being replaced by Fermin Lopez in the Barca midfield.
Things went from bad to worse for Xavi Hernandez’s side before the half-time whistle, with Pedri also having to be subbed off.
Rather worryingly for Barca fans, Pedri’s injury appeared to be a hamstring concern – picked up after the midfielder dropped deep and curled a pass out to Raphinha on the flank.
The Spain international have missed a huge number of games in recent seasons due to hamstring issues, being absent for a whopping 72 games for club and country despite being just 21 years old. Pedri has already missed 15 games due to muscle injuries during the current campaign, and it appears that he will be set for another period on the sidelines once again.
De Jong and Pedri’s injuries leave Xavi’s side extremely threadbare in the middle of the park, with Oriol Romeu, Sergi Roberto, Ilkay Gundogan and Fermin Lopez being only fit midfielders in the squad.
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