Frenkie de Jong and Pedri set for spells on sidelines with injuries

Barcelona have confirmed that Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are both “unavailable for selection” due to injury.

Both players picked up injuries in the first half of Barca’s goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night, which leaves the side third in LaLiga.

De Jong went over on his ankle in the 26th minute and the club revealed that the Dutch midfielder has a “lateral ligament sprain”.

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦

Frenkie de Jong has a lateral ligament sprain in his right ankle. Pedri has a right quadriceps injury.

Both players are out and their recovery will determine their availability. pic.twitter.com/9QTXVCw9EN

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 4, 2024

Tests also showed that Pedri sustained an injury to the “rectus femoris muscle” in his right thigh after the Spanish midfielder went down with no one else involved towards the end of the first half.

In a statement on Monday, Barcelona confirmed that both players’ “recovery will determine availability”.

It was another frustrating evening for the Catalan club, who were unable to capitalise on second-placed Girona’s defeat to Mallorca and a draw for leaders Real Madrid against Valencia.

Frenkie and Pedri, we’re with you. Stay strong. pic.twitter.com/FcfydlBQcP

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 3, 2024

The weekend’s results mean Barcelona are one point behind Girona and eight away from Real and manager Xavi admitted after the Bilbao game that his side were “unlucky” following the two first-half injuries.

He told the Barca website post-match: “The two injuries in the first half certainly affected us. We are so unlucky.

“Those are two very important players for our game plan. I imagine we’re going to miss them for several games.

“The team was trying but we generated very little. We didn’t quite have our claws out and never really went for the game.”