Xavi honest on taking no Pedri risks in the clásico: "This is not a final"
The midfielder will not return for Sunday's visit from Real Madrid
A clásico without Pedri. Football loses and, above all, Barcelona lose. Xavi Hernández had faith until a couple of days ago that he would be able to count on the midfielder for Sunday's Real Madrid game at Spotify Camp Nou, but the player did not feel right in Friday's training session. In fact, he was then not even seen on the pitch in Saturday's session.
Obviously, one of the first topics touched on in Xavi's press conference was how he is doing and what exactly happened to the midfielder.
"It was very tight," Xavi explained of Pedri's schedule to return for the game. "We knew there was a risk. Yesterday he didn't feel 100% and, if he's not in good condition, the best thing he can do is recover well.
"We spoke to him and told him that he didn't need to force himself. It's an important match that can be decisive, but it's not a big final. We don't want to lose Pedri for two more months."
WITHOUT PEDRI
On how to approach the game without Pedri and how to fill his void, the Barça coach commented that "that is our objective, to play well without Pedri. The only game in which we haven't been dominant was the Copa del Rey match at the Bernabéu. We've tried to work on this during the week. We'll see if we can dominate against a Madrid side who, when they press up top, are a very strong team."
We'll see if the player from the Canary Islands manages to recover well and be 100% ready for the return from the international break. Especially with the second leg of the Copa del Rey against Madrid in mind on April 5.
