Recent hamstring problems have kept Barcelona midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong out of action, but they both might be available on Sunday.
As soon as Pedri and Frenkie de Jong received the all-clear to play in Sunday's match against Atletico Madrid, Xavi was happy to have them back.
Since suffering a hamstring injury during February's 2-2 Europa League game with Manchester United, Pedri has not appeared for Barcelona.
The Spain international had been expected to return for Barça's 2-1 LaLiga victory over Clasico rivals Real Madrid last month, but a setback in his recuperation prevented that from happening.
Pedri has missed a total of 11 games, but De Jong, a fellow midfielder for Barcelona, has missed their previous four games with a similar injury.
In back-to-back goalless draws in LaLiga against Girona and Getafe, Barca failed to be creative, but they will have both of their midfielders available when they play in-form Atleti.
Frenkie and Pedro also assist us, Xavi stated. Whatever you want to call them, they are crucial players, but we have won games without them.
"In the end, it comes down to the concept and game design. LaLiga is a fortunate league, and the players are well aware of this. Even without certain key players, we have still won excellent games.
"Pedri is important on the final pass. He gets along great with Robert Lewandowski, with whom he associates well. Getting him back is excellent news, and not just for Robert.
With only nine games left, Barcelona has an 11-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid, and Xavi is aware that the league title is now Barca's to lose. Barca last won the league in 2019.
Diego Simeone's opponents had won six straight league games prior to their trip to Camp Nou, so the Blaugrana manager anticipates a stiff challenge the following time out.
"We have an important advantage, and we have to make it good," Xavi stated. "If we lost the League, it wouldn't be the other clubs' fault; it would be our own.
blogpay
