Pedri Returns, Madrid Stumble & Ansu Shines in France - February 22, 2026
Barcelona can reclaim top spot with Pedri returning against Levante after Real Madrid's shock defeat at Osasuna. Ansu Fati continues his renaissance at Monaco.
Pedri Returns as Barcelona Eye Top Spot
FC Barcelona have been handed a golden opportunity to return to the summit of La Liga as they prepare to host Levante at Spotify Camp Nou. The Catalans can reclaim first place after Real Madrid suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Osasuna on Saturday, their first La Liga loss since early December.
The biggest news for Hansi Flick's side is the return of Pedri, who is expected to feature for approximately fifteen minutes in what will be his first appearance after injury. "Pedri, el regreso de un líder" reads the headline in AS, underlining the midfielder's importance to a Barcelona side that has struggled in his absence with back-to-back defeats.
Flick has called for unity ahead of the crucial fixture, holding two separate meetings with his squad this week. "We need leaders," the German coach stated emphatically, demanding his players step up during this challenging period. The squad has been named and is ready to capitalize on Madrid's slip-up.
The match against Levante carries added intrigue as the visitors feature former La Masia product Kareem Tunde, who has become a key player under new coach Luís Castro after his time in Barcelona's youth academy.
Real Madrid's Costly Defeat Opens Door
Real Madrid's loss at El Sadar was dramatic, with Raul Garcia de Haro scoring a 90th-minute winner to hand Osasuna a memorable 2-1 victory. Despite Vinicius Junior finding the net, Alvaro Arbeloa's side struggled throughout, with Thibaut Courtois conceding a penalty in unlucky circumstances for Ante Budimir's opener.
Arbeloa made three defensive changes, bringing in Dani Carvajal, Raul Asencio and David Alaba, but the alterations failed to provide stability. The defeat means Barcelona, who appeared to be in crisis mode just days ago, can now leapfrog their eternal rivals with a victory.
Ansu Fati's French Renaissance Continues
While Barcelona prepare for their crucial clash, former prodigy Ansu Fati continues to rediscover his best form at Monaco. The forward scored a stunning goal in Monaco's surprise victory over Lens, touching just four balls but making them count with devastating efficiency.
French media have been unanimous in their praise, with Ansu having now scored 8 goals in just 571 minutes of Ligue 1 action, despite only five starts. "Bestial Ansu Fati" declared Sport, as the 23-year-old finally shows signs of returning to the form that once made him one of Europe's brightest prospects.
Former La Masia Talents Thriving Elsewhere
The exodus of young talent continues to haunt Barcelona, with Noah Darvich dazzling at Stuttgart after failing to break through at the club. The midfielder has finally found consistency in 2026, showcasing the enormous talent everyone suspected but couldn't exhibit in Barcelona's B team.
Meanwhile, Dro Fernández made his first PSG start just weeks after his surprising departure from Barcelona, delivering a strong performance against Metz and sending a clear message about his decision to leave.
As Barcelona look to bounce back from their recent struggles, the return of Pedri and Madrid's stumble provide the perfect opportunity to reignite their title challenge.
