Barcelona Chooses Caution with Midfield Stars Ahead of FC Basel Friendly
Barcelona’s decision to omit Pedri and Gavi from the squad for the friendly against FC Basel has prompted some discussion, yet the club remains unfazed about the situation. According to SPORT, the club has a relaxed attitude concerning the fitness of both midfielders.
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Their absence is viewed as a precautionary measure by coach Hansi Flick, who is keen to avoid unnecessary risks during the early stages of pre-season.
Pedri and Gavi were noted as significant absentees from the travelling squad, alongside other players either nursing injuries or awaiting clarity regarding their futures. Nevertheless, there are no concerns regarding injuries with either player.
Instead, Barcelona aims to have both midfielders primed for the competitive season, choosing to conserve their energy rather than subjecting them to unnecessary playtime in pre-season matches.
Pedri on an Individual Recovery Plan
While neither Pedri nor Gavi made the trip to face Basel, their reasons for absence differ slightly.
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Pedri has been working under an individual programme since the start of pre-season. The club clarified that the midfielder is “following a specific preparation in his first days of pre-season.”
This decision is thought to be more about managing his workload than addressing any serious physical concern, with Pedri gradually returning to full intensity under a controlled approach by Flick and his team.
Gavi’s Early Return and Gradual Involvement
Gavi’s situation is slightly different. He opted to shorten his holiday by nearly a week to come back early and start working with Flick.
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Although he has been training with his teammates, the coaching staff has opted to limit his participation in pre-season fixtures. He was previously excluded from the trip to Udine, where a triangular tournament involved Nottingham Forest and Udinese, and he will now stay in Barcelona while the squad heads to Switzerland.
This decision focuses again on workload management, as Flick believes there is little benefit in rushing either midfielder into friendly matches with the official season still to come.
Barcelona’s decision to leave Pedri and Gavi out of the squad for the friendly against FC Basel has raised eyebrows, but there is no alarm inside the club.
In fact, according to SPORT, Barcelona are completely relaxed about the fitness of both midfielders.
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Their absence from the trip is understood to be a precautionary decision by Hansi Flick, who is unwilling to take unnecessary risks during the opening phase of pre-season.
The two Spaniards were among the most notable absentees from the travelling squad, aside from players dealing with injuries or waiting for clarity over their futures.
However, their situations are not being treated as injury concerns.
Instead, Barcelona want to see two of their most important midfielders ready for the competitive campaign rather than pushing them through unnecessary minutes in pre-season friendlies.
Pedri following specific individual plan
Although neither player travelled to face Basel, the reasons behind their absences are slightly different.
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Pedri has been working under an individual programme since returning for pre-season.
Barcelona themselves have explained that the midfielder is “following a specific preparation in his first days of pre-season.”
The club’s decision is believed to be linked to managing his workload rather than responding to any serious physical issue.
Pedri is being eased back into full intensity, with Flick and his staff taking a controlled approach during the early stages of preparation.
What about Gavi?
Gavi’s situation is somewhat different.
The Barcelona midfielder actually cut his holiday short by almost a week to return early and begin working under Flick.
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He has trained with his teammates, but the coaching staff have chosen not to involve him in every pre-season fixture.
He was previously left out of the trip to Udine for the triangular tournament involving Nottingham Forest and Udinese, and he will now remain in Barcelona while the rest of the squad travels to Switzerland.
The decision, once again, is based on workload management, as Flick does not see any value in forcing either midfielder into friendly matches when the official season is still ahead.
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