Barcelona sealed their spot in the Champions League by claiming crucial three points against Benfica in a dramatic game. This game gave me goosebumps, showcasing the quality of this competition.
Pedri’s Impressive numbers
Barcelona’s star attacker Raphinha stole the spotlight of the game thanks to his last-second winner. UEFA awarded him the Player of the match award.
Despite Raphinha being named the player of the match, Pedri’s impeccable performance was second to none. He played the whole game, getting an important assist to his name for the equalizer scored by Eric Garcia. At 86′ minute of the match, Pedri received a pass from a quick Barcelona corner under pressure he calmly crossed the ball into Benfica’s goal to provide an easy header for Eric.
Tribuna.com (Pedri’s assist to Eric )
This game was fully scattered after Barcelona was down by 2 goals, Pedri’s composure and creativity kept Barcelona’s midfield active. The Spaniard had 90% passing accuracy the most in Barcelona’s squad. Pedri completed 96/107 passes and made 6 key passes into the box with expected assists (xA) of 1.1. Pedri controlled Barcelona’s midfield single-handedly having 120 touches in the 90 minutes.
Additionally, Pedri made 9 crosses out of which 5 were successful and one ended in an assist. Pedri was also helpful in the defense as he used to track back when Benfica was on the attack and won 4 duels.
Pedri’s heatmap is evidence, showcasing his versatility and dedication. He was all over the pitch for Barcelona and is one of the key reasons for Barcelona’s comeback in the game.
There is no doubt Pedri without injuries is one of the best midfielders in the world, the quality he brings to the pitch is unmatched. Pedri reminds me of Barcelona legend Iniesta, both have that similar touch and control of the ball. Pedri is Barcelona’s key asset for the future and he should be groomed at every cost. What do you guys think? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.