Pedri emerged as one of Barcelona’s brightest surprises last season, quickly becoming a central figure under coach Hansi Flick despite previous injury concerns. He was a near-constant presence on the pitch, featuring in most games.
However, this season has seen a marked shift in how the club uses Pedri. After a demanding Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid, where Pedri finished walking in discomfort, Flick admitted the team had taken risks with the midfielder. Since then, Barcelona adopted a cautious rotation policy, limiting Pedri to 45 minutes against Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, and 70 minutes in the first leg against Newcastle United.
Out of 31 appearances so far, Pedri has only completed full 90 minutes 12 times, a sharp decrease from last season when he played full matches in the majority of his appearances. This more careful approach is based on muscle fiber studies conducted in a Baltimore laboratory and coordinated with the club’s head of physical training, Julio Tous. Pedri’s routine now includes specialized strength training, cryotherapy, and Pilates to aid recovery.
Facing a packed schedule for trophies and with the World Cup approaching, Barcelona clearly treats Pedri as a precious asset that must be handled with care. This strategy aims to ensure he maintains his fitness and availability for decisive moments coming up in the season.
