Barcelona will be without the services of Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele for Thursday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg with Real Madrid at Bernabeu.
Pedri and Dembele remain on the sidelines with hamstring problems, while Lewandowski has been ruled out of the contest with the thigh strain that he suffered during the loss to Almeria on Sunday.
Lewandowski's absence is a huge blow for the Catalan outfit considering that he is comfortably the team's leading goalscorer this term, netting 25 times in all competitions.
Xavi commented on the absences during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, admitting that his team will miss the trio of key players.
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"He (Pedri) is a key player for us, he makes a difference with goals and passes and gives us that tempo that we need in the middle. He is a very important loss for us, like Dembele or Lewandowski. Pedri is a key player for the team," said the head coach.
However, there is also positive news on the injury front, with Ansu Fati returning to the squad after missing out against Almeria at the weekend due to a knee problem.
"Today he has returned to training with the group and it is great news that it was just a bruise. He looks very happy and motivated and that is important," Xavi said when asked about Fati.
There is also a spot in the squad for Estanis Pedrola, with the 19-year-old bidding to add to the one first-team appearance that he has made for the club.
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"We already know him from last year, he plays a very good one-on-one game, he has a goal, he's in a good moment and with the loss of Robert we needed an attacker and he can help us," the manager said when questioned on Pedrola.
"They (Real Madrid) are a very tough opponent, they don't dominate in many moments but they have those mini phases where they dominate you and in a transition they get in your goal. They are a very difficult opponent on their home pitch.
"In the league they beat us well and we beat them well in the Super Cup. I think it will be resolved in the second leg, it's a golden opportunity to reach a final and win a title.
"We are playing for a title, Madrid are still the favourites because they are the champions of La Liga and the Champions League. They are a very difficult opponent and they are in a good moment. Madrid are favourites."
Barcelona will enter Thursday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg off the back of successive defeats to Manchester United and Almeria in the Europa League and La Liga respectively.
Barcelona squad vs. Real Madrid:
Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Gavi, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong, Torre; Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Alarcon, Estanis
Matt Law
