Barcelona’s Super Cup Aspirations Boosted with Pedri’s Return, But Cancelo Remains Uncertain

Barcelona is setting their sights on a spot in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid, with a crucial semi-final clash against Osasuna on Thursday. The hours leading up to the match in Riyadh brought positive news for the Catalan side, as MD reported that medical clearance has been granted for Pedri to be included in the matchday squad. The 21-year-old midfielder has been named as a substitute for the upcoming game.

However, the same cannot be said for Joao Cancelo, as medical clearance is still pending for the Portuguese defender, ruling him out against Osasuna. Barcelona remains hopeful that the clearance will be secured in the next few days, allowing Cancelo to be available if they advance to the final against Real Madrid.

While Barcelona wishes to have a fully fit squad, especially considering Cancelo’s absence, there is cautious optimism regarding Pedri’s return. Given his injury history over the last couple of years, the club is aware of the need to manage his recovery cautiously. The ideal scenario for Barcelona is not to rely on Pedri against Osasuna, ensuring he returns to action at an appropriate pace. Nonetheless, the competitive situation may necessitate strategic decisions in desperate times.