Barcelona Star Pedri Sidelined: The Real Reason He's Missing the Copenhagen Clash
Barcelona will be missing their midfield genius, Pedri, when they welcome FC Copenhagen for their crucial final match of the 2025–26 Champions League league phase, where victory is absolutely essential.
Hansi Flick's team currently sits outside the coveted top eight positions in the league phase table. While they cannot fully control their fate, a commanding victory over Copenhagen would almost certainly propel Barcelona up the rankings and guarantee automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16.
The mission is clear for the Catalan club, but executing it may prove challenging, particularly as Flick will be without his midfield conductor.
Pedri stands as not just the finest central midfielder globally, but also ranks among the world's elite players across all positions. His influence in the midfield's core is vital for Barcelona to reach their maximum potential.
His absence makes Wednesday's encounter considerably more difficult.
Why Is Pedri Not Playing Against Copenhagen?
Why Is Pedri Not Playing Against Copenhagen?
Pedri sustained a hamstring problem during Barcelona's 4–2 triumph over Slavia Prague seven days ago, carefully leaving the field before medical examinations revealed he would face an extended spell on the treatment table.
The Spanish international was already absent from Barcelona's 3–0 victory against Real Oviedo over the weekend, but in Champions League action, facing opponents battling to extend their European campaign, securing three points becomes substantially more demanding.
This represents a significant setback for Flick's squad, particularly given a concerning recent pattern. Pedri has already been unavailable for two Champions League matches this season, and Barcelona failed to win either, drawing with Club Brugge before suffering a heavy defeat to Chelsea.
Flick possesses adequate replacements to compensate for Pedri's unavailability, though these options exclude his regular midfield partner, who will also be absent from Wednesday's encounter, further weakening Barcelona in this crucial fixture.
Flick Faces Midfield Headache Against Copenhagen
Flick Faces Midfield Headache Against Copenhagen
Regular starter Frenkie de Jong will also be unavailable to support Barcelona's top-eight ambitions against Copenhagen following a one-game ban for yellow card accumulation.
Following Pedri's earlier departure against Slavia Prague, De Jong committed a late tackle during injury time, picking up an unnecessary caution that now prevents Flick from fielding either component of his favored central midfield pairing.
The adaptable Eric García is anticipated to fill the midfield role after primarily featuring as a central defender recently. Academy product Gerard Martín will probably assume García's position in the defensive line.
García's midfield companion remains the larger uncertainty, but with Barcelona requiring a convincing win, Dani Olmo might enter the starting eleven in a deeper role than normal while maintaining license to advance forward. Olmo has experience in this position—he operated deeper in Barcelona's 4–2 victory against Celta Vigo in November.
Should Flick choose a more conservative approach, then Marc Casadó or Marc Bernal represent the alternative choices to accompany García in the middle of the park.
When Will Pedri Return For Barcelona?
When Will Pedri Return For Barcelona?
Unlike typical modern approaches, Barcelona promptly disclosed Pedri's rehabilitation schedule, stating the midfielder faces approximately one month away from action.
Pedri might potentially make his comeback when Barcelona entertain Levante in La Liga on Feb. 22, or versus Villarreal at home on Mar. 1 if Barcelona choose an extremely cautious approach.
Consequently, Pedri will be absent for the forthcoming league encounters against Elche, Mallorca and Girona, plus the trip to second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Feb. 3. Should Barcelona overcome Albacete, Pedri would also miss the opening leg of the Cup semifinal seven days afterward.
Additionally, if the Catalans cannot secure a top-eight finish in the league phase and must participate in the Champions League knockout playoffs, Pedri would probably be unavailable for the initial leg scheduled for either Feb. 17 or Feb. 18.
Under those circumstances, Barcelona would aim to ensure his readiness for the return leg one week later, a match occurring between the previously mentioned fixtures versus Levante and Villarreal.