Barcelona star midfield duo want to play against PSG – report

Barcelona and PSG are dealing with a slew of injuries this season, making their upcoming UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash even more uncertain. 

With the match looming, sidelined players are pushing for early returns, eager not to miss out on the action.

According to a report from SPORT, players like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona are determined to make themselves available for the crucial Champions League tie. They are putting in extra effort to recover in time and be at the disposal of their coach, Xavi.

Barcelona are optimistic

Among the two Barcelona players who were injured in the same match against Athletic Club on March 3rd, de Jong appears to have a better chance of being fit for the first leg at Parc des Princes on April 10th. 

The Dutchman suffered a sprained ankle, a recurring issue for him this season, while Pedri had a muscle injury to his right leg.

The club’s outlook is optimistic for both players’ return, though they are proceeding with caution, particularly with Pedri. However, both players are driven by their competitive spirit and have circled the tie against Paris Saint-Germain on their calendars.

Barcelona are practising caution with Pedri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

It is said that de Jong might be back this week if he gets better as the doctors say. They are pretty sure because his injury is not too bad, so they can adjust his return date more accurately.

He should ideally play in the first leg against PSG and the coaches are thinking Ilkay Gundogan, de Jong, and Andreas Christensen must be in the midfield.

But with Pedri, it is all about how he feels, especially because he’s had problems like this before.

How is their recovery going?

De Jong’s recovery from his ankle injury is progressing well, and the forthcoming 11-day break from competition could prove pivotal for his availability. 

He is reportedly feeling positive about his progress, raising hopes for his participation in the match in Paris.

Meanwhile, Pedri recently expressed his aim to return for the crucial phase of the season, particularly highlighting the PSG fixture. 

Although his return won’t be rushed, there is a possibility he might travel to Paris and even get some playing time.

For what it is worth, the Spaniard was spotted training individually at the Ciutat Esportiva, showing resilience despite the setbacks of this challenging season.

It is to be noted that both players have missed the same four games since their injuries, which might affect their ability to regain match fitness, especially against less challenging opponents. Nevertheless, they are determined not to miss out on the PSG clash.