Barca vs Real Madrid: Football artist Pedri

Overcoming trauma

He is said to be quiet, a bit shy, sort of a modern-day Andres Iniesta. However, Pedri is not what he seems.

Fun-loving and talkative, Pedri is a leader with a distinct presence in the dressing room, a bridge between the veterans and the rebellious young talent.

Pedri celebrates scoring in the Copa del Rey final. Photo: Imago

Since Hansi Flick took over as Barcelona manager , Pedri has quickly become a leader on the pitch.

“He has great technique and desire. He makes everything look easy. It's a joy to watch Pedri play ,” Flick praised his player.

When Joan Gamper arrived, the German strategist spoke to each player. From the beginning, he said he needed Pedri to be in the best shape after seasons of injury - the consequence of the summer of 2021 without any time off (attending EURO, then going to Japan to play in the Tokyo Olympics).

When Pedri injured his knee after a rough tackle from Toni Kroos in the EURO 2024 quarter-final against Germany, Barca were stunned.

“No way. This boy is so unlucky ,” people in the club’s sports department lamented. The disappointment was well-founded, as they had worked hard to help Pedri overcome his physical and psychological difficulties.

Previously, Pedri and Barca's efforts seemed to have failed. When no solution was found, Blaugrana's internal team began to doubt the Canary midfielder.

In the three seasons leading up to EURO 2024, Pedri suffered repeated muscle injuries: eight times, a total of 428 days off the pitch. Curiously, in the Barcelona office, there were hints that he was not taking care of himself.

Pedri didn’t react or explain, just continued to search for a solution. He even sent a sample of his muscle fibers to a lab in Baltimore that specializes in genetic muscle diseases for analysis.

Pedri improves fitness and revives with Hansi Flick. Photo: EFE

It was after being eliminated from EURO by Kroos that he found the answer. “He worked hard for a long time to get into the best shape,” said a person close to Pedri.

With a stronger and more solid body, he became an indispensable factor under Flick.

Pedri's Art

“Pedri is very professional, trains hard, takes good care of himself. He always does extra training and does his own recovery , ” Hansi Flick praised.

Pedri praised Julio Tous, Barcelona's head of fitness, who was not considered important under Xavi Hernandez. "I think the new fitness coaches are very suitable for us. We train very hard and that shows in the games . "

This statement did not please Xavi. He texted to complain about the comment. Pedri kept quiet, not wanting to cause more conflict.

Working in the environment created by Flick, Pedri not only improved physically but also improved his playing style. At the beginning of the season, he had a good understanding with Casado. Entering 2025, he was accompanied by Frenkie de Jong.

It was Pedri, along with Lamine Yamal, who helped De Jong find his joy again. The Dutch midfielder revived after struggling with injuries and Barca tried every way to sell him.

Pedri plays deep, but in games where Dani Olmo is absent through injury – which is often – he is given more freedom in attack, as he did for Spain at the Euros.

Pedri is a ball control artist. Photo: FCB

This season, Barca defeated Real Madrid in all 3 El Clasicos, scoring 12 goals. Pedri was the star in these battles.

Jorge Valdano - 1986 World Cup champion with Argentina, Real Madrid legend as both player and coach - commented on him as an artist: "Pedri controls matches by pulling strings like a puppeteer" .

“He gives the impression that he is a ball magnet. Team-mates come to Pedri because giving him the ball is like putting money in the bank; he will pay you back with interest ,” Valdano described.

Pedri defines Flick's fiery, uncompromising and undefensive attacking football, which is also the reason why Barca lost to the more experienced Inter.

Flick helps Pedri, Lamine Yamal and the Barca players to fully develop their talent and creativity.

The sadness of losing to Inter has not yet passed, Pedri has the task of leading Barca in spirit and playing style to confront Real Madrid in the El Clasico battle.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/barca-dai-chien-real-madrid-suc-manh-nghe-nhan-pedri-2399750.html