Barcelona head coach Xavi has confirmed that Andreas Christensen, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are all available to feature in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Paris Saint-Germain.
Christensen and De Jong were both expected to be given the green light to return against PSG after recovering from Achilles and ankle issues respectively.
However, Pedri was seen as a major doubt, with the Spain international out of action since the start of March due to another thigh problem.
Initially, there had been fears that Pedri would require an operation, which would end his season and also rule him out of this summer’s European Championship.
It later became apparent that the midfielder’s issue was not as serious as first feared, and he was named in the Barcelona squad for the contest with PSG in Paris.
De Jong, Pedri in line to make returns against PSG
There had been claims that his inclusion in the squad did not necessarily mean that he would be available to take on the French champions.
However, speaking during his press conference, Xavi has confirmed that the midfielder is available, with the 21-year-old handing Barcelona a major injury boost at a vital stage of the campaign.
“I can confirm that all those who have travelled will be available tomorrow, barring any surprises,” Xavi said during his press conference when questioned on the squad list.
“I won’t give any clues, but it will be important. They (Pedri, De Jong) will give us individual duels, Luis Enrique’s teams are perhaps the most intense in the world. The demand is maximum, we will have to come out of this pressure very well. I think we have worked well.”
Xavi ‘excited’ by milestone match as head coach
Xavi will take charge of a Champions League quarter-final for the first time as a head coach on Wednesday evening, and the Barcelona boss opened up on his “excitement” at the challenge.
“It is a key moment. The word after four years without reaching the quarter-finals is excitement,” he said.
“I said it a fortnight ago, we can dream, we are very motivated, we are at the best moment of the season but we have a team ready to win the Champions League and one of the best coaches in the world.
“I think it’s a challenge, it’s a responsibility and I’ve seen that Barcelona fans are very excited. Perhaps we are at the best moment of the season and the players are super-motivated.”
Barcelona will bring a 11-game unbeaten run into the contest with PSG, with the team in excellent form since Xavi announced at the end of January that he would be standing down from his position at the end of the season.
