Halftime Sub Pedri Is Doing Well

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick adheres to a golden rule: never risk a player's health, even with the slightest discomfort. This was precisely the case with Pedri González. During Wednesday's match against Atlético Madrid, the Tenerife-born midfielder felt a slight muscle overload, prompting Flick to substitute him at halftime for Gavi, despite the issue not being serious.

Pedri himself wanted to remain on the pitch, demonstrating his commitment throughout the first half, and likely could have continued playing. However, Flick decided that absolutely no risks should be taken with one of his key midfield players at this juncture, as reported by "Sport."

Barcelona is determined to manage the player's condition with extreme caution. La Liga champions return to action this Saturday against Espanyol, and it remains to be seen whether Pedri will start or be rested ahead of the crucial return leg against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

The ideal scenario would be for Pedri to rest, but this appears challenging given that Frenkie de Jong is not yet fully fit, and Bernal is also sidelined with a sprained ankle.

Barcelona lacks an abundance of midfield options, and Gavi is still gradually reintegrating into the squad. Pedri didn't even undergo medical tests due to his minor discomfort. He completed a recovery session, fully focused on the upcoming match against Espanyol.