Frenkie de Jong was taken off via a medical team cart after suffering an injury against Athletic Club before Pedri also limped off for Barcelona.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Frenkie de Jong injures ankleTaken off the field by medical cartPedri subbed off in tears moments laterGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Netherlands international De Jong went down in agony after an awkward landing as he contested for a header with Athletic Club's Unai Gomez. As the medical team tended to his ankle, it seemed as if the midfielder might be able to walk off the pitch, but soon went back down and had to be taken off the pitch on a medical cart.
Head coach Xavi and Barcelona saw their troubles further compounded as Pedri had to be subbed off just before half-time, after the Spaniard seemed to tweak his hamstring during a clearance.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
De Jong's ankle injury seemed a lot more serious than Pedri's muscular issue. Both men will undergo tests with the club's medical team when they return to Barcelona, with Xavi sweating on the fitness of two key players at a crucial stage of the season.
DID YOU KNOW?
As per Diario AS, Pedri is likely to be completely ruled out of Barcelona's Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash against Napoli on March 12 after a relapse of a thigh problem, while De Jong is set to be a major doubt. Barca have now lost three of their four main midfielders to injury and may be forced to dig even deeper into their academy to plug the holes.
WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
The Catalan side will next be in action when they take on Mallorca on Friday, March 8 as they look to chase down Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. They still have nine days before they host Napoli but Xavi will be forced to field a significantly weakened team if De Jong and Pedri do not recover in time.