Rashford’s Recovery Boosts Barcelona Ahead of Chelsea Clash

omidbasir- Marcus Rashford, following a commendable performance with England during the November international break, missed Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Athletic Club at Camp Nou due to illness. Fortunately, he has since recovered from the flu and has been included in the squad set to travel to London for a match against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.

Since his loan move in the summer, Rashford has emerged as a significant threat to opposing teams, netting six goals and providing nine assists across both La Liga and the Champions League. His performance in the latter competition has been particularly impressive, with four goals and two assists in just four matches. His presence in the upcoming fixture against Chelsea is expected to be critical, especially given that he has scored six times against the London club and assisted five goals, statistics that will keep Maresca’s side vigilant.

On the other hand, Pedri, a player admired not only by Barcelona fans but also by rival managers, will be unavailable for this match. He suffered a tear in the distal femoral biceps of his left leg in late October, with the Clasico being his last appearance. Pedri has been a vital player in coach Flick’s setup, having rarely missed games under his management. This injury, part of the hamstring group at the back of the thigh, is not new to him, as he previously endured a similar hamstring injury in September 2021, which sidelined him for three months. Nevertheless, reports indicate that he is recovering well and has reached the final stage of rehabilitation according to Mundo Deportivo.

Maresca has expressed admiration for Pedri, whom he regards as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. Prior to the match against Barcelona, he praised both Pedri’s skills and Flick’s Barcelona team. “It’s not only a loss for Barcelona; it’s a loss for football because he has incredible quality,” he remarked. “Flick’s Barcelona looks spectacular to me. Whenever I watch them, there’s always something to learn. Last year, they won La Liga and reached the Champions League semifinals. They execute many aspects of the game well and consistently strive to take the initiative. We aim to do the same.”

Club captain Frenkie de Jong, a key player for Flick, returns to the lineup after serving his suspension against Athletic Club. Additionally, full-back Alejandro Balde, who experienced a head injury last week and was substituted during the match, has also traveled with the team to London.