There is not a single quiet day for this earthly Barça. There is little room for joy and for leaving the infirmary empty. Yes, when the 23-24 season started, Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Gündogan appeared on Xavi Hernández’s board as permanent and irreplaceable men. Today only the last one is available. Gavi said goodbye to the season in January after tearing his meniscus and cruciates with Spain. Yesterday San Mamés witnessed and conveyed his spirit in the form of applause to Frenkie de Jong for a sprained right ankle and to Pedri for his usual ailment: his right thigh.
Two more than sensitive casualties at the most important moment of the season with Barcelona trying to climb positions in the League and with the very important match against Naples on March 12 in which the pass to the quarterfinals of the Champions League will be played. “When we had the best feelings, two key players fell,” lamented Ter Stegen. “It looks like they will miss a few games. The midfielders are vital for me, it has been a misfortune,” predicted Xavi, who will have to resort to Gündogan, Fermín, Sergi Roberto or Romeu in the next games.
In the absence of both undergoing the corresponding medical tests this Monday in the sports city, everything indicates that De Jong is the one with the best prognosis. In a jump with Unai Gómez, the Athletic player grazed his right ankle and, just as he hit the ground, Frenkie twisted it and remained lying on the ground. It’s not the first time he’s happened to her. This season he already went to the infirmary after suffering a sprain against Celta in Montjuïc. He was out for 61 days and missed 10 games. In San Mamés the Dutchman tried to get out on his own after being examined by Dr. Xavier Valle. However, when he tried to get up, he winced in pain. The stretcher made an appearance on the green.
De Jong left more serene than Pedri, more aware than anyone of what had happened to him. “He was very affected. Pedri had trained very well this week. We must support him, he has done everything to be well. “We must all do our part but he will come back stronger,” said Xavi, who consoled him.
The last three seasons have not been easy for the Tenerife native, who is tired of visiting the infirmary for the same reason. This summer the club’s medical services made changes to his diet and put him on a gluten-free diet.
At the same time, Pedri paid attention to Carles Puyol. The former captain recommended him to do Pilates to gain elasticity. He also, since the beginning of the year, visits a center in Barcelona with hyperbaric chambers that allow him to oxygenate his muscle tissues.
“I’m better,” he commented in the sports city. But the ordeal continues. This course Pedri has spent a lot of time in nursing in two stages. The first time he missed 12 games after injuring his right thigh. On December 18, the discomfort returned. He missed three more games. From the club they insisted on carrying his return in cotton. They assured that an upcoming injury could bring him closer to the operating room although the last word goes to the footballer, aware that his right thigh is his weak point.
Last season he was absent in 15 games. 2021-2022 was worse: he missed 39 games between Barça and the national team. These numbers have little to do with those of the year of his Blaugrana debut in the 2020-2021 season, when he played 73 games, the Euro Cup and the Olympic Games included. Without a doubt, it was too much.
