Barcelona qualified for the quarterfinals of the Europa League on Thursday evening. After last week’s 1-1 draw, Xavi’s team needed a 1-2 win over Galatasaray this time to join the last eight. The highlight of the evening was the first Catalan goal. After beautiful combination football between Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, the latter finished in a very controlled manner. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drew a comparison with Lionel Messi afterwards.
Barcelona fell behind after half an hour of play via Marcao, but drew the score not much later after a nice combination between Ferran and Pedri. The midfielder delayed his shot twice to leave goalkeeper Iñaki Peña no chance. Pedri became the first accurate teenager on behalf of Barcelona in the Europa League since Iván de la Peña in 1996. “I feigned because I saw a leg and kept feinting until I could shoot. I can’t remember the goal. happen on the field, I don’t think about that too much.”
The only nineteen-year-old midfielder was impressed by the ambiance in Istanbul. “I’ve never played in a stadium with such an intense atmosphere before,” said Pedri. “It was crazy. But we showed character. We have to take it game by game, but I think we are the favorites to win the Europa League. We didn’t expect to draw at home against Galatasaray. It has to be We’ll see who we’re going to meet in the quarterfinals.”
† Pedri move @FCBarcelona level with an unparalleled goal! †#GALBAR #UEL pic.twitter.com/eKuKAVE6Xq
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 17, 2022
Xavi was clearly impressed by his compatriot’s performance. “He scored a great goal. We all know what he is capable of and there is much more in the pipeline. Pedri is only 19 years old. He has his own character and that makes him a unique player. are in the Europa League? We have a chance to win this tournament. We have taken another step and continue to grow. We are in good form and haven’t lost in a while.”
Aubameyang also feasted on the performance of the up-and-coming talent. “It was a great goal. I’m surprised he doesn’t remember it. The goal reminded me of Lionel Messi,” said the striker. “No way. Messi marked them much better and more beautiful. Comparing myself to Messi is insane,” Pedri countered Aubameyang’s words. “Pedri gave a gala performance,” writes Mundo Deportivo about the performance of Pedri. Galatasaray was his victim and couldn’t stop him.
“Xavi was right: there are no other players like Pedri”, headlines marca, referring to the statements made by the Barça coach recently. “There is no greater talent on earth,” said Xavi after the 1-4 victory over Valencia. “He is the star of this team,” writes marca† “It doesn’t matter that he is still a kid, he is already making the difference in the big games. He can handle the pressure and let others play better. Long live Pedri.”