The Spanish morning papers are running out of superlatives to describe Barcelona’s performance against Athletic Club (4-0). Los Azulgrana scored four goals for the third official game in a row, and the media especially praised Pedri’s contribution to the Catalan success of the past few weeks. “From Messi’s Barca to Pedri’s Barca”, headlines Sportwhile marcajust like trainer Xavi, sees connections between Andrés Iniesta and the nineteen-year-old midfielder.
The Dutch at Barcelona took on an important role in the resounding victory over the Basques. For example, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay scored shortly after their respective substitutions on a pass from Ousmane Dembélé, while Frenkie de Jong received the assist on the French attacker in the 2-0. Although the Spanish media also praise the Dutch trio, the most praise goes to Pedri. Immediately afterwards, Xavi compared the playmaker to Iniesta and called him “the best player in the world in terms of talent”.
‘HEY! Shall we stop, Frenkie?’ † Sierd de Vos enjoys Pedri to the fullest, just like the Barça crowd.#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #BarçaAthletic pic.twitter.com/5OHXzCdvI5
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) February 27, 2022
Among other marca fully joins the praise of the trainer. “He made a complete celebration of the match: he set the lines, looked for spaces, determined the game, moved without the ball, dribbled… But his great performance did not stand alone. His level in every match is spectacular. Xavi has found his pearl and Pedri can no longer be stopped in this advance,” writes the Madrid sports newspaper, which also briefly expresses itself about the Dutch. “The invaders are the deciding factor. Ousmane Dembélé, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay all scored after they came on the field.”
Sport goes one step further and writes that Pedri has taken over the role of Messi. †Del Barca de Messi al Barca de Pedri† Barcelona is playing at the pace that Pedri indicates. The team that once belonged to Messi is now in the hands of a 19-year-old magician. Something is changing at Barca. You can see that in the bustle of the Camp Nou. It barcelonismo lives. Thanks to the return of key players and the new signings, Barça is starting to take off.”
One ‘fiesta complete‘, so called Mundo Deportivo the Barcelona match. “Under Pedri’s leadership, the pace was increased to beat Athletic with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis. Although Barcelona had a hard time for a long time because Gerard Pique had his hands full with Iñaki Williams. It was only after Dembélé’s 2-0 that people were reassured in Camp Nou. Memphis and Luuk de Jong then each placed a cherry on the cake.” At the same time writes ASH about the euphoria in the Catalan capital and the newfound joy of playing.