BARCELONA: Barcelona midfielder Pedri has a chance to play for the first time since last month’s leg-muscle tear when the champions host Alaves in LaLiga on Saturday but center back Ronald Araujo will miss the game with a stomach virus, coach Hansi Flick said.
The coach said he was happy with the way his players had reacted in training after Tuesday’s 3-0 loss at Chelsea in the Champions League as Barca renew their efforts to catch up with LaLiga leaders Real Madrid who are one point ahead.
“He (Pedri) will play some minutes, but (won’t be in the starting) lineup. If it’s possible, then he will come on in the second half. We’ll see,” Flick told reporters about Pedri.
“(Araujo) has a stomach virus, and he’s out for today and also for tomorrow.”
Flick was excited by the return of winger Raphinha, who has made two appearances as a second-half substitute after missing nearly two months with a hamstring injury, as Barcelona look to leave behind an injury crisis that plagued them till last month.
“I missed him (Raphinha). I see him as one of the most important players in our team ... he also has the hunger and the will to show how good he really is,” the German said.
“I really appreciate what I see in training. We’re focused, we have a lot of quality. And of course, players coming back now, Pedri is back ... Raphinha, Marcus (Rashford) from the cold he had. We nearly have everyone.”
Flick, a former Bayern Munich midfielder, also brushed aside the on-field reactions of right winger Lamine Yamal during the loss to Chelsea, after the 18-year-old looked visibly frustrated following his substitution at Stamford Bridge.
“I was also a player and maybe sometimes I did not show the right reaction. But at the end ... it’s emotion,” Flick said.
“The next step for Lamine must be to show, again, it’s not about this match, forget it. Alaves is now the important thing and he has to show his best level.
“We’re all in a bad mood after the defeat against Chelsea. We were very disappointed about that ... but it’s done. Now we’re looking forward, we’re looking positive for the next match to the end of this year.”
Barcelona’s Pedri in line for comeback, Araujo out with stomach virus
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Barcelona’s Pedri in line for comeback, Araujo out with stomach virus
- “He (Pedri) will play some minutes, but (won’t be in the starting) lineup,” Flick told
- “(Araujo) has a stomach virus, and he’s out for today and also for tomorrow“
Smylie, Uihlein tied for lead entering first fourth round in LIV Golf history
- Smash GC’s Talor Gooch is third just 1 shot behind, the closest pursuer of 17 players within 6 shots of co-leaders
RIYADH: LIV Golf enters uncharted territory on Saturday at Roshn Group LIV Golf Riyadh.
The league’s first 72-hole regular-season tournament, part of the significant format adjustments made for the 2026 season, concludes with Saturday’s fourth round at Riyadh.
New LIV Golf player Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC and original league member Peter Uihlein of RangeGoats GC are tied for the lead at 16 under. Smash GC’s Talor Gooch is just a shot back, the closest pursuer of 17 players who are within six shots of the co-leaders.
In the team competition, Torque GC — fueled by the twin 7-under 65s by Mexican Olympic teammates Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz — are at 46 under, two shots ahead of Smash, who are seeking to deliver a victory to Gooch on his debut as captain. Ripper, eyeing next week’s home tournament at LIV Golf Adelaide, are another shot back.
Had the tournament been played under the old 54-hole format, Uihlein and Smylie would have had to settle things in a playoff on Friday. But now the leaders and contenders get 18 more holes to crown a champion.
“Yes, thanks for bringing that up,” laughed Uihlein, who has appeared in all 51 LIV Golf tournaments and is seeking his first league individual title.
“I feel like 72 holes fits me a little better. If you would have told me at the beginning of the week, hey, you’d be tied for the lead after 54 and you have a chance to win, that’s where you’d want to be. I’d take it. (I’m) looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.”
Smylie, 23, who is making his first LIV Golf start after joining the all-Australian Rippers last month, had never competed in the 54-hole format but is looking to send a message to his new competitors. He said he was in “total control” of his shots during Friday’s bogey-free 7-under 65.
“Without a doubt I want to prove my worth in this league, and I want to establish myself as one of the best guys in this league,” the left-hander said. “The best way to do that is by going out and making a statement this week.”
Ancer is among the group of players now getting a fourth round to chase a LIV Golf trophy instead of having to be satisfied with a high finish. The new Torque player won his first LIV Golf individual title two years ago in the 54-hole format while playing for Fireballs GC. He welcomes the opportunity to have an extra 18 holes to claim a second title.
“I feel like 54 holes was good enough to figure out who’s playing the best golf,” said Ancer, whose 65 was highlighted by a 50-foot-plus eagle putt.
“You just feel like it’s a little bit more of a sprint, have a little bit less time for you to make mistakes and come back from them. But then playing 72 holes, you feel like if you’re a steady player, that would maybe help you rise to the top of the leaderboard.”
Two of the steadiest LIV Golf players are Gooch and Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm, who have combined to win the last three season-long Individual Championships. They have each celebrated 13 trophies — individual and team successes — and are tied for the most in league history, remaining in contention for more hardware thanks to the additional fourth round.
Gooch, who follows the rule of 67 — everything takes care of itself by shooting 67 or better — shot his third consecutive 67 as he seeks a fifth individual tournament title.
Rahm shot his second 67 of the week and is tied for fourth with Ancer, Smash GC’s Jason Kokrak and 4Aces GC’s Thomas Detry, who, like Smylie, is making his league debut in Riyadh.
Despite increased winds and rainy weather on Friday, with players expecting the tougher conditions to impact scoring, the field shot its lowest average of the week, nearly 3.5 strokes under par during a lively third-round Moving Day.
Uihlein, who opened his round with four consecutive birdies en route to a 66, said: “It didn’t feel like it was easier than yesterday, but everyone went low.
“I’m expecting it to be a shootout, but we could come out here tomorrow and it’s blowing 15, 20 again, so you never know.”
