Barcelona star Pedri sent a timely message to any and all of his doubters with his latest performance on Saturday.
Barca, of course, marked their return to action a short time ago, welcoming Atlético Madrid to Catalunya’s capital for a top-of-the-table La Liga showdown.
When all was said and done, Hansi Flick’s troops were condemned to the wrong side of the result, in a 2-1 defeat.
This, though, did not come owing to a lack of trying on the part of the evening’s hosts.
Barcelona carved out a whole host of clear-cut goalscoring opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes, only to be held at bay time and time again by the superb Jan Oblak.
And the driving force in almost every positive moment which the Blaugrana conjured up was the aforementioned Pedri.
Featuring from the off in the middle of the park, the Spanish international was in nothing short of majestic form against Atléti, flawless in his dribbling, pinpoint in his passing, and wonderfully creative in the final third.
Not only that, but Pedri was responsible for the hosts’ only goal of the clash, combining drive, touch, clever movement and a classy finish to match.
Too often, Barcelona’s midfield maestro is overlooked when it comes to conversations surrounding the best engine room performers in world football.
On Saturday, Pedri provided a reminder of why, despite his side’s shortcomings, as much should not prove the case moving forward…
Conor Laird – GSFN