Pedri to have a break after Athletic game

"We have been thinking for a while about what is best for Pedri. Against Athletic Club he will feature but after that he will have a two week break." That is what FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman announced in Friday's press conference ahead of the trip to San Mamés in La Liga. The decision means that Pedri will not feature in the third league game of the season on Sunday 29 August against Getafe at Camp Nou. 

"We have taken this decision because we don't want to get to the November and December and have injury problems. It's impossible to sustain the amount of games he has played this season and two tournaments in the summer. He needs a rest, at least two weeks," added Koeman. 

The break could be longer if he is not called up for Spain three World Cup qualifiers against Sweden, Georgia and Kosovo in early September. "I have spoked to Luis Enrique but this a decision that he has to take and explain," commented the Barça coach. 

A lot of matches

Since arriving last summer Pedri has become a vital figure in the blaugrana midfield. He has made 54 appearances for Barça so far and after his presence in the Euro 2020 and Olympic tournaments in the summer for Spain, that figure rises to 75.