Barcelona will be without midfield stars Gavi and Pedri for their second leg Europa League clash against Manchester United.
A thrilling first leg at the Camp Nou finished 2-2 on Thursday night, leaving next week’s return leg perfectly poised with the winner set to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Xavi is set to be without two of his most influential players however with Gavi suspended after picking up a yellow card for a foul on Fred in the second-half, hauling back the Brazilian as he broke away on the counter.
It was the 18-year-old’s third booking in European competition this season having been shown yellows in Champions League group games against Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen, earning him a one-match suspension.
The hosts suffered an even bigger blow when Pedri was forced off injured in the 40th minute.
Barcelona have confirmed the 20-year-old has suffered a thigh injury and while he is set to go undergo tests to determine the severity of the problem, Catalunya Radio report the Spain international is facing three to four weeks on the sidelines.
It adds to a list of injury woes for the La Liga leaders with Ousmane Dembele also sidelined.
Sergio Busquets also missed Thursday’s clash through injury but could be fit to return at Old Trafford next week.
Speaking after the match, Xavi suggested he will turn to Sergi Roberto to step in for Pedri, having replaced him in Thursday night’s game.
‘For me, Sergi Roberto is an alternative to Pedri, he understands the game very well, he is dynamic and can give us a lot in Pedri’s position,’ the Barcelona boss said.
While Barcelona will have to cope with key absences, United will be boosted next week by the return of Lisandro Martinez, who missed the first leg through suspension.
January signing Marcel Sabitzer also sat out as the result of a suspension carried over from the Champions League where he was booked three times in Bayern Munich’s group campaign.
He will be available at Old Trafford next week
