Injuries to some of the most important FC Barcelona players and their expected returns to action is the most discussed topic at the club currently.
Xavi has been unable to field some of his best players in the last few matches and will once again have to go into the UEFA Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk without players like Kounde, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong.
Barcelona have already won the last two matches in their Champions League group stage, but winning the game against the Ukrainians tonight will ensure their presence in the knock-out rounds of the competition. However, there is a match against Real Madrid in which Xavi will be wishing to go with full strength.
Pedri out of El Clasico
Thus, most of the injured players nearing recovery had set the coming El Clasico as a target. Only some of the players are still in contention to get fit for this monumental tie, though.
As already reported here, Pedri, who was previously expected to be on track to recover for this match, is now definitely ruled out for El Clasico. Still, three other highly important players can make it for the weekend’s game.
Key Trio will train tomorrow to assess their fitness
According to the journalist, Javi Miguel, Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Frenkie de Jong will all train with the group tomorrow. Xavi and the players will make use of this opportunity to assess their fitness and feeling ahead of El Clasico, and then Xavi will make a final decision on whether they will play against Real Madrid.
Xavi will be hoping to recover all three of them, as their absence significantly weakens the team. For the match tonight, Xavi will only have Gundogan and Romeu as first-team midfielders, while Lewandowski is also an integral part of Xavi’s setup. Raphinha, and his experience, is also needed on the wings against a team as tough as Real Madrid.
