Barcelona is currently facing a challenging phase, having suffered two consecutive defeats across all competitions.
The team is also grappling with an injury crisis in the attacking midfield area, with Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi all sidelined. However, there is hope that Lopez might still be available for selection.
As of now, all three players will miss the upcoming match against Girona, and Raphinha’s participation remains uncertain as well. This situation could compel Hansi Flick to make significant changes to the lineup.
Could Pedri take on an attacking midfield role?
Reports from Diario SPORT suggest that Flick may opt to play Pedri in an attacking midfield position against Girona amidst the ongoing injury setbacks.
Earlier, it was indicated that Dro might benefit from this injury crisis and potentially earn a start against Girona.
However, it seems Flick prefers to utilize Pedri in an advanced position, with Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado providing support deeper in midfield.
The German coach has typically avoided deploying Pedri in an attacking role, as he values his skills more in a box-to-box capacity. Yet, with Fermin, Olmo, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal also out, Flick’s options are dwindling, particularly with Raphinha’s availability uncertain ahead of the Girona match.
Consequently, the responsibility will likely fall on Pedri to adapt his game slightly and become the creative influence in Barcelona’s attack, supporting players like Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, and Ferran Torres.
Nonetheless, Flick will need to keep an eye on Barcelona’s busy fixture schedule this month, so he may approach Pedri’s involvement with cautious consideration. This could open the door for alternatives like Dro to step in as needed.