The league derby and the Champions League return leg are coming up, and they have Pedri overloaded, Bernal recovering, De Jong coming in now, Eric with defensive duties, Casadó without any playing time....
Barça reaches a crucial moment of the season with its engine room at its limit, to the point that the composition of the midfield in the LaLiga derby against Espanyol ( Saturday 11) and against Atlético (Tuesday 14) in the return leg of the Champions League quarter-finals leaves the midfield very conditioned.
Hansi Flick doesn't have his full squad available, especially after having to substitute Pedri at halftime against Atlético Madrid due to discomfort that, while not requiring a medical examination, has left him far from peak fitness. The Canary Islander will be a close call and could be rested. Bernal is still recovering from his ankle sprain, and De Jong has begun training with the group.
For the derby, Flick could once again call upon Eric Garcia , the squad's utility player, who would partner with Pedri (if he doesn't want to rest him), Fermín, Gavi, or Olmo , employing a three-man midfield. De Jong won't start because, coming off an injury that has sidelined him for nine matches, it's unlikely he'll risk further injury. Casadó hasn't featured for Barça in seven of their last eleven matches