FC Barcelona fell to a 0-2 defeat within the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final in opposition to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night time.
It leaves their hopes of progressing additional within the competitors hanging by a thread, with the reverse fixture set to be performed on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano subsequent week.
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The possibilities of a remontada are additional sophisticated by the absence of one of many membership captains and Hansi Flick’s most trusted gamers, Raphinha.
Frenkie de Jong and Pedri the important thing
Given the state of affairs, studies that throughout the membership, there’s a perception that, with Raphinha sidelined by means of damage, protecting hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive is determined by Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
Barcelona are set to have their most well-liked double pivot out there once more this weekend. Whether or not they may play collectively for lengthy stays unsure, however the goal is for Pedri and De Jong to start out as a pair on Tuesday within the second leg of the quarter-final.
Pedri is just not injured and can be key vs Atletico. (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photos)
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Inside Barcelona, elimination is way from being accepted, however it’s understood that, with a key participant like Raphinha absent, the possibilities of a comeback rely closely on the midfield duo dictating play and including attacking sharpness by means of ball management.
For now, De Jong, having recovered from a hamstring damage, accomplished a part of Thursday’s coaching session with the group and is anticipated to participate once more in Friday’s remaining session earlier than Saturday’s match in opposition to RCD Espanyol.
The plan is for him to after which be prepared to start out in opposition to Atletico Madrid.
Pedri, who was substituted at half-time , carried out restoration work in right now’s session. It’s anticipated that the midfielder is not going to begin in opposition to Espanyol so as to be brisker for the decisive match in Madrid.
Barcelona firmly imagine that Pedri and De Jong having the ability to impose their model and management the match in opposition to Atletico Madrid can be vital to their possibilities of a comeback.