Barcelona are preparing for a game that may hold significant weight for the rest of their season, both in terms of points and emotionally. The Blaugrana would be four games without a win and potentially just eight points clear at the top of the table should they lose.
It is no surprise as a result that Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is desperate to get his stars back from injury. It is something that he has mentioned as crucial on several occasions in recent weeks.
According to MD, both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are on track with their recoveries this week, having returned to training on Monday. The impression in Barcelona is that if they continue to do so, both will be in the starting line-up.
There was no news on the other recovering player, Ousmane Dembele, who was all but ruled out of contention at the start of the week. His absence will stretch three months after next week.
If Pedri and de Jong are fit, it would likely see Gavi return to his role on the left side of midfield, with Sergio Busquets in the middle too. Both will provide more clarity on the ball and more creativity in the middle, something sorely lacking of late.
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku admits Adriano inspired him to take up football.
Lukaku says he could relate to the former Inter Milan and Roma star.
He said on the Match Day Programme: "When I was little the conception was different and some said that a power player who only uses his left foot couldn't do much.
"And then Adriano arrived, he opened up the world to me, I saw him play when I was 10 years and from that moment everything changed for me."
Lukaku also stated: "The important thing is to always have new goals, always wanting to improve.
"Determination is the driving force, then there are other equally important values. I remember that my first year as a professional, my results at school weren't very good and in a match a player broke his leg. After the final whistle the coach called me and said: 'You never know what will happen in football, you have to finish school'. And I finished it."