Barcelona will be without midfielder Pedri for their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge due to an ongoing hamstring injury. However, Marcus Rashford has returned to full training after recovering from the flu and is expected to be available. The game, set for Tuesday night, comes after Barcelona's 4-0 win over Athletic Club.
Barcelona face Chelsea in a crucial UEFA Champions League group stage encounter on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge, with mixed injury news impacting Hansi Flick's squad preparations. Pedri, sidelined since suffering a left hamstring injury in El Clasico on October 26, has not trained with the group and will miss the trip to London. According to reports from Sport and AS, Barcelona are prioritizing caution to avoid further setbacks for the Spain international, who has missed the last three games across all competitions. His expected return is for the La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves this weekend or at latest against Atletico Madrid on December 2, with the medical team noting a recovery ahead of the original prognosis by about ten days.
On a positive note, Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, has rejoined full training on Sunday after missing sessions due to the flu. The England international, who has recorded 15 goal involvements in 16 matches this season, brings dynamism to Barcelona's attack and is set to travel with the squad. Other key players returning include Frenkie de Jong, available after a suspension in the 4-0 win over Athletic Club, and Alejandro Balde, who trained despite a head blow in that match. Raphinha and Ferran Torres are also back in action, while Robert Lewandowski is fit.
For Chelsea, Cole Palmer is expected to miss out with a fractured toe sustained against Manchester United, but Reece James is fully available after a pre-planned substitution in their 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley. The Blues sit 12th in the Champions League with seven points from four games, level with Barcelona on goal difference, following a 2-2 draw against Qarabag and Barcelona's dropped points versus Club Brugge. Both teams aim to boost their top-eight chances for direct advancement to the last 16.
