Barcelona faces a daunting task at Camp Nou, hosting Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg with a four-goal deficit from the first match. Despite the challenge, the team enters the game with confidence following consecutive wins against Levante and Villarreal.
A significant development is the return of midfielder Pedri to the starting lineup after missing the first leg due to a hamstring injury. After a month out, the 23-year-old made a substitute appearance against Levante and was kept on the bench against Villarreal to regain match fitness. On Tuesday, however, he is expected to start but will be limited to 75 minutes to manage his recovery.
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong remains sidelined with a long-term injury, increasing the importance of carefully handling Pedri’s workload. The coach Hansi Flick’s decision to limit his playing time underscores the priority to avoid further injuries as Barcelona strives to get back into the tie.
Pedri remains optimistic about his fitness and future contributions. His presence on the pitch could provide the creative spark Barcelona needs to mount a comeback, but managing his minutes is vital for both the player and the team’s ongoing campaign.
