MX23RW : Friday, November 8 03:38:51| >> :120:34691:34691:
[monks data]
Valencia logo
La Liga | Gameweek 1
Aug 17, 2024 at 8.30pm UK
Estadio de Mestalla
Barcelona logo

Valencia
1 - 2
Barcelona

Duro (44')
Pepelu (38'), Vazquez (45+5'), Baraja (57')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lewandowski (45+5', 49' pen.)
Cubarsi (45+2'), Christensen (69'), Kounde (81')

Barcelona handed major injury boost ahead of La Liga opener against Valencia

Key player could return: Barca handed injury boost ahead of Valencia game
© Imago
Barcelona midfielder Pedri has a chance of being involved in Saturday's La Liga contest with Valencia at Mestalla.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has revealed that Pedri has a chance of being involved in Saturday's La Liga contest with Valencia at Mestalla.

Pedri picked up a knee injury while representing Spain at Euro 2024, and it had been thought that he would be absent for the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign.

However, Flick revealed during his press conference on Friday that the midfielder has a chance of featuring off the bench in the team's opening game of the new season.

"Pedri is a special player, he changes games. He could be an option for the second half tomorrow," the new Barcelona head coach revealed.

The Catalan giants will still be missing some key players on Saturday, though, as Ronald Araujo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati are all injured, while Dani Olmo is yet to be registered.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri on November 24, 2023© Reuters

Pedri could feature for Barcelona against Valencia

"He's not an option for tomorrow as he has not trained much. First he has to train to be able to help us," Flick responded when asked about OImo.

De Jong, meanwhile, missed Euro 2024 with the ankle injury that he suffered in early March, and the Netherlands international is still some way off being available for selection.

"We don't know when he [De Jong] will be back, he's still injured and we are waiting. We don't want to rush him," Flick added when questioned on the midfielder.

"After the international break, there will be many more players available. I'm optimistic, but there's still time.

"We have more players available in the team and I hope they can return, but I don't have a set date for their return. Their recovery is on track. I am satisfied with the squad. When I signed my contract I knew it wouldn't be easy but I trust the club."

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong receives medical attention after sustaining an injury on April 21, 2024© Reuters

Araujo, Fati, Gavi, De Jong remain on the treatment table

Flick also said that he is "really looking forward" to Barcelona's league opener against Valencia, which comes immediately after a 3-0 loss to Monaco in the Joan Gamper Trophy.

"I am really looking forward to the match. I know that in Valencia it is always difficult. It will be a tough game. They like to attack, so we will have to keep an eye on the space between the defence and the goal," he added.

"We can't even think about anything that can't be changed. We're going to focus on what we can influence. I have experience and I've come here accepting the facts that I can't control. I hope we'll see a good show and we can win in Valencia.

"I don't want to say much about the eleven, I never do. There are no excuses about Gamper, we accept it. The team was a bit tired because we trained very hard. It was a game that didn't come at the best time, because if you win you have confidence, but we have recovered our energy."

Flick also confirmed on Friday that Lamine Yamal should be involved against Valencia despite the fact that the teenager has only just returned to training after helping Spain win Euro 2024.

ID:550530:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4868:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Frenkie de Jong

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Game History

How you voted: Valencia vs Barcelona

Valencia
9.8%
Draw
9.2%
Barcelona
80.9%
173
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Hansi Flick pictured on November 27, 2022 [IMAGO]
Read Next:
Contact made: Barcelona 'hold talks' with ex-Chelsea midfielder
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!