Pedri aiming for return against Alaves

FC Barcelona has confirmed that midfielder Pedri will not be included in the traveling squad for their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against Chelsea in London. The club has prioritized a cautious approach to the Spanish international’s recovery, electing to hold him out of the high-stakes European match.

Despite the player making continuous progress and diligently working to regain his full physical fitness following a recent injury setback, the Barcelona coaching staff deems him not yet at 100% capacity. The consensus is that forcing his return prematurely could pose an unnecessary risk, potentially jeopardizing his long-term health and availability.

The squad returned to training following their emphatic 4-0 victory over Athletic Club, a match which also marked the emotional reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou. The session held at the Ciutat Esportiva was primarily a light recovery workout, signaling the team’s immediate shift in focus towards preparation for Tuesday’s crucial European encounter.

While several other players who faced minor issues showed full readiness—including Marcus Rashford, who returned after a bout of flu, and Alejandro Balde, who trained normally after a precautionary substitution—Pedri was the sole player explicitly ruled out for the trip. The decision underscores the rigid medical and tactical policy adopted by coach Hansi Flick and his staff.

The manager has made it unequivocally clear that regardless of the critical importance of the Chelsea match, the club will not gamble on the fitness of key players. This measured approach is focused on ensuring the sustained health of the squad throughout the season, prioritizing long-term success over short-term gains.

Instead of the European clash, Pedri is projected to be available for the following La Liga fixture against Alavés, according to reports from SPORT. This scheduled return will allow him additional time to fully integrate back into match fitness in a domestic setting before facing the intensity of continental competition.

The team’s logistics include flying to London on Monday afternoon, maintaining their recent routine of later travel. Notably, winger Raphinha, who successfully made his return to action yesterday after a two-month absence, is being considered as a strong candidate to join Manager Flick for the official pre-match press conference at Stamford Bridge.