FC Barcelona will begin their pre-season tomorrow at the club’s Ciutat Esportiva facilities under the new management of Hansi Flick.
The 59-year-old German tactician will oversee preparations over the next month as he hopes to get his players ready and accustomed to his ways in time for the season-opening La Liga fixture against Valencia.
Pedri, Ronald Araujo set to miss Valencia clash
Barcelona will kick off their La Liga campaign on the night of August 17 against Valencia away from home at the Mestalla.
And, as per Javi Miguel of AS, two of the team’s most important players, Pedri and Ronald Araujo, are almost certain to miss the first game of the new campaign.
As things stand, both Pedri and Araujo will certainly be unavailable for Hansi Flick in the pre-season and appear set to be absent for the game against Valencia as well.
Barcelona set to be without some key players vs Valencia. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Pedri is sidelined with a grade two sprain in his left knee – an injury he suffered while playing for Spain against Germany in the UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinal.
It has been suggested that he could be out for close to six weeks, putting his potential return to action somewhere around the end of August.
As for Araujo, he is expected to be out for even longer after suffering a thigh injury during Uruguay’s Copa America clash against Brazil. Initial reports suggest a two-month period on the sidelines, meaning he would only return in September.
As such, both Pedri and Araujo, barring any surprises, will miss the opening game against Valencia on August 17.
But there may be some good news on the horizon as Frenkie de Jong is feeling good as far as the condition of his ankle is concerned and could be able to participate in pre-season normally and get ready for the new season.
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-key-duo-almost-certain-to-miss-la-liga-opener-vs-valencia-report/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-07-09 13:33:04
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.