Pedri and De Jong Ruled Out for Barça-Naples in Champions League

The draw against Athletic Bilbao came at a high cost for Xavi and FC Barcelona as they lost key midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong due to injuries. Both players, crucial in the team’s midfield, are unlikely to feature in the upcoming Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash against Napoli on Tuesday, March 12. Xavi confirmed after the match that both players would be sidelined for “several games,” expressing his sadness over the unfortunate turn of events.

The first blow came for De Jong, who suffered a significant ankle sprain in an aerial challenge with Unai Gómez in the 25th minute. As a result, the Dutch midfielder, celebrating his 150th La Liga appearance for Barcelona, is expected to be out for several weeks, making him unavailable for the crucial Napoli match.

Shortly after, Pedri added to the woes as he experienced a recurrence of a muscular injury in the right thigh. This marks Pedri’s eighth injury as a Barcelona player, and considering his injury history, the young Spanish midfielder is likely to face an extended period on the sidelines.

The absence of Pedri and De Jong leaves Xavi without two key creative forces in the midfield, essential for shaping the team’s style and providing character during crucial moments in the season. The setback comes at a critical juncture, particularly with the upcoming Champions League fixture against Napoli, where Barcelona will aim to overturn the tie.