The Canarian has marked him in the two meetings that have played this season and has always been the best of the game.
Hansi Flick has managed to get the best version of Pedri, especially thanks to the fact that he has left behind the injuries that have been persecuted in previous seasons. And if there is a rival who has suffered especially the talent of Barca midfielder, that is Atlético de Madrid. The Tenerife has been the absolute protagonist in the two clashes that both teams have had this season, leaving their seal with goals and outstanding performances.
So far this year, Pedri has celebrated five goals with the Barca shirt, two of them precisely against the rojiblanco team. In both games, one in LaLiga and another in the Copa del Rey, the Spanish international has been the most prominent player in Barcelona. Tonight, in a duel that can define a good part of the race for the league title, the midfielder has the opportunity to continue expanding his streak and reaffirm himself as the great threat to Simeone’s team.
Bright in LaLiga and Cup key
On December 21, in the first confrontation between both teams this season, Barcelona received Atlético de Madrid in Montjuïc. Although the Catalans could not avoid defeat by 1-2, Pedri was the great star of the game. The Canarian scored his team’s only goal with a spectacular individual action that culminated with a precise shot. Throughout the 90 minutes, it was the engine of the game of theirs, creating danger and leading each attack of the Flick team.
But if in LaLiga it was already a headache for the rojiblanco team, his performance in the Copa del Rey was even more prominent. In the semifinals of the competition, Pedri shone with its own light, organizing the game of Barcelona, recovering balls, attending and scoring a crucial goal. When he left the field in the 85th minute, Barcelona won 4-2 and seemed sentenced, but his absence was immediately noticed. Without him on the grass, Atlético managed to tie 4-4 and maintained his options in the tie, demonstrating how indispensable the Canarian for the Barca team is.
Way to a new record
Beyond its influence on the game, Pedri is on the way to match and overcome its own records of participation. With 41 meetings played this season, of which 39 have been as a starter, the Canary is one step away to match its best record, established in the 2020-21 campaign with 40 headlines. Si Flick maintains his plan to manage the minutes but without taking him out of the initial eleven, he is very likely to exceed this brand in the coming weeks.
If you continue at this rate, you could also beat your game record in a season. In his first course at the Camp Nou, he played 52 meetings in all competitions without counting commitments to the National Team. Currently, add 25 appearances in LaLiga, 10 in the Champions League, 4 in the Copa del Rey and 2 in the Spanish Super Cup.
With a calendar that still includes at least 12 league games, a possible cup duel and at least two commitments in the Champions League, the Canary is on the way to signing its most prolific season in terms of participation.
Atlético de Madrid is already notified. Pedri has proven to be his executioner this season, and tonight in the Metropolitan he will have the opportunity to do it once more.