Confirmed, triple KO in Barça's midfield for Athletic: 'De jong, Pedri and...'

Barça is once again facing a critical situation in midfield. Injuries and suspensions are weighing down a team that, match after match, struggles to keep stability in the squad. Hansi Flick hasn't been able to count on all his men since the season began, and the midfield has become the main focus of the problems.

The Catalan team needs to recover their solidity and continuity, but the medical room gives no respite. Pedri, one of the pillars of the project, is still recovering from his injury and won't be available against Athletic Club. The Canary Islander is the team's playmaker, so his absence is extremely important.

Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and...

In addition to Pedri, Barça already knows they also won't be able to count on Frenkie de Jong after the break. "21" was sent off at Balaídos after receiving two yellow cards and will miss one of the most important matches of the season. Without the Canary Islander or the Dutchman, Flick will have to rely on ingenuity to present a competitive midfield, but there's more.

Yes, because the German coach has suffered another unexpected blow. During the warm-up for the match against Celta, Marc Casadó felt a twinge in his adductor and had to stay out of the starting eleven. In the coming days, he will undergo tests, but everything suggests that he will also miss the match against Athletic.

Marc Casadó causes an earthquake at Barça

Marc Casadó was the main alternative to occupy the pivot position in the absence of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. However, pending tests, it's most likely that he also won't be able to play against Athletic. Flick is left without three essential pieces to control the pace of the game, so the coach will have to improvise a solution.

In this regard, if we look at the Catalan squad, it's most likely that Bernal and Eric García will be chosen to occupy the double pivot against Athletic Club. Ahead of them, Fermín or Olmo will have the important mission of helping their teammates. It's still too early to know what will happen, but at this moment Barça won't be able to count on their starters.

Flick knows the situation isn't ideal, but he trusts Bernal and Eric a lot. In addition, as an emergency solution, he could also count on Christensen, who has already played as a midfielder in the past.