Barcelona’s injury fortunes have taken a mixed turn as Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo returned to full training this week but the joy was tempered by news that Pedri has sustained another hamstring injury that could rule him out for several weeks.
According to reports from the club’s official channels and Spanish outlets, Lewandowski and Olmo were both seen training with the first-team group at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, marking a significant boost for manager Xavi Hernández as the Catalans prepare for a critical run of fixtures across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Lewandowski has been sidelined since early October with an ankle issue sustained during the Champions League clash against Porto, while Olmo has been out since September with a knee sprain. Both forwards completed the full training session on Thursday, increasing their chances of inclusion in the squad for this weekend’s league fixture.
However, optimism quickly turned to concern when it was confirmed that midfield star Pedri González had suffered another hamstring tear, continuing a frustrating trend of recurring muscle injuries that have disrupted his young career. The 22-year-old playmaker limped out of training midweek and is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks, pending further tests.
This new setback for Pedri could force Xavi to rely more heavily on midfield options like Fermín López, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong, as Barcelona aim to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
Barcelona currently sit third in the La Liga table, just behind Real Madrid and Girona, and face a busy November schedule that will test the squad’s depth and resilience. Xavi, speaking after Thursday’s session, said:
“We’re happy to have Robert and Dani back their quality and experience are vital. But losing Pedri again is painful, for him and for the team. We’ll support him and ensure he returns stronger.”
The return of Lewandowski and Olmo adds much-needed creativity and cutting edge to a Barcelona attack that has struggled for consistency in recent weeks, scoring just three goals in their last four matches.
Meanwhile, Pedri’s ongoing fitness woes are likely to reignite conversations about Barcelona’s medical protocols and fixture congestion in modern football.
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