Barcelona midfielder could be out for 3-4 weeks after fresh injury against Slavia Praha

Barcelona were dealt a worrying blow on an otherwise positive European night as Barcelona midfielder Pedri was forced off injured during the 4-2 Champions League victory over Slavia Praha.

The incident occurred at a delicate moment in the game. With the score level at 2-2 and just over fifteen minutes played in the second half, Barcelona were pushing to regain control when Pedri suddenly collapsed on the pitch. 

The midfielder immediately held the back of his right thigh, a sight that raised instant concern among teammates, staff, and supporters.

Several Barcelona players quickly gathered around the midfielder, clearly aware that the situation looked serious. 

Club doctor Ricard Pruna wasted no time and immediately signalled to the bench for a substitution, a move that suggested the medical staff feared a muscular issue. 

Pedri was unable to continue and left the field visibly limping, cutting short what had been another influential display in midfield.

What now?

This injury represents a significant setback for Hansi Flick, especially at such a crucial stage of the season. 

Pedri suffered an injury against Slavia Praha. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

While definitive tests will be carried out once the squad returns to Barcelona, early signs on the night were far from encouraging. 

According to AS, initial impressions pointed towards a possible tear, though as the hours passed, there was some cautious optimism that the injury might not be as severe as first feared.

That said, even in a best-case scenario, Pedri could still be sidelined for at least three weeks, depending on the results of further medical examinations. 

Given his history with similar muscular problems, recovery timelines are often approached with extra care, meaning a three-to-four-week absence cannot be ruled out if the diagnosis is confirmed.

For Flick, the timing could hardly be worse, as Pedri now joins an already growing list of absentees, which includes Gavi and Andreas Christensen. 

To make matters worse, Frenkie de Jong will also miss the final Champions League group-stage clash against Copenhagen after picking up a yellow card in Prague, resulting in suspension due to accumulated bookings.