Barcelona midfield gem will not be available for PSG first-leg clash

After seeing off Las Palmas 1-0 after the international break, Barcelona have ten days off before they will travel to Paris to take on PSG for the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

PSG are only slight favourites ahead of Barcelona for this game, primarily due to Kylian Mbappe. But either way, this clash has the makings of an all-timer dual in the UCL.

There is one thing that can make things even more interesting, especially for Barcelona, ahead of the game. That is the return of some of the key players that have picked up injuries.

With Ferran Torres now back, and the likes of Gavi and Alejandro Balde out for the season, this list starts and ends with two names – Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.

While the latter is expected to be back in the squad list for the first-leg, there are some new updates on the latter’s situation.

Pedri could be out for first leg

According to a report published by SPORT, Barcelona will be without Pedri for the first-leg of the PSG clash, contrary to reports.

He picked up a hamstring injury while attempting a seemingly normal pass, and was ruled out for a few weeks, initially.

There also have been reports claiming that he will not be back until the end of the season, while others suggested that he would be fit in time for the first-leg already.

Pedri has not recovered from his injury yet, though, and will likely only be available for the second leg at the Olympic Montjuic Stadium on 16th April.

Barcelona’s midfield setup

Everything right now suggests that Xavi will not tinker too much with the midfield system that came away with a win against Atletico Madrid and Las Palmas.

This features Ilkay Gundogan and Sergi Roberto almost in a double pivot, while Fermin Lopez assumes a much more advanced role in front of them.

The good news is that Andreas Christensen should be available for the game, and should Xavi choose to, the Dane can fill in as the holding midfielder as he has so successfully this season.

Frenkie de Jong is also an option should he be given the medical green light and be 100% ready for the game.