Xavi gives latest injury updates on Ousmane Dembele & Pedri
Barcelona coach Xavi has admitted that the club is not prepared to take any risks with Ousmane Dembele or Pedri before each is ready to return following recent injury layoffs.
Dembele, whose Barca career has been blighted by injuries, hadn’t actually been sidelined since Xavi took over in late 2021 until succumbing to a hamstring issue at the end of January.
Having been a regular starter and chipping in with 10 La Liga goal contributions, the Frenchman has missed the last 14 games in all competitions.
A muscle complaint has kept Pedri out since the middle of February, missing 10 games so far.
Xavi revealed that both had been ‘excited’ to re-join training this week but will instead see that delayed because neither is yet feeling quite right.
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“Because the sensations are not good,” the Barcelona boss gave as a reason for their continued absence.
“This is about sensations and they were excited to participate but we don't want to take any risks. The feelings will mark their return.”
Xavi was also quizzed on the physical condition of the squad as a whole.
“On a physical level, I have received data that we are the team that runs the most, we make more efforts and do more sprints,” he said. “I think we are number one, we have received some data now that Big Data is in fashion . The injuries are normal. What team has no injuries? Here too much importance is given to injuries.”
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