FC Barcelona endured a particularly harsh night as they suffered a 4-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Metropolitano.
This loss abruptly ended a remarkable run for the Blaugranes that began with the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea and included 17 wins and only one loss (against Real Sociedad, albeit with a strong performance).
According to [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/pedri-clave-frenar-hemorragia-126801279), a clear pattern emerges from both defeats against Chelsea and Atletico: the absence of Pedri.
Against Chelsea, the 23-year-old midfielder was sidelined with muscular issues. Similarly, he didn’t feature in the game against Atletico, leaving Barcelona without control in midfield.
Barça struggled to contain Atletico’s high press and lacked the solutions he provides in midfield. Pedri is crucial in dictating the tempo of matches, slowing down opposition attacks, and organizing the team under pressing situations.
His absence exposed the team’s vulnerability against stronger sides, even though Barcelona had managed to achieve results in other matches without him.
The good news is that Pedri is close to returning and is [expected to be back for the Levante match](https://semprebarca.com/hansi-flick-confirms-raphinha-fit-provides-updates-on-pedri-gavi-and-rashford-ahead-of-girona-vs-barcelona/) on February 22.
Hansi Flick has relied on alternatives like Dani Olmo and Casado as deep-lying playmakers in recent games, but they could not replicate the clarity, control, and rhythm that Pedri brings.
The return of Pedri is expected to restore balance and provide Barcelona with the tools needed to compete at the highest level in the closing stages of the season.