Wednesday 07 July 2021
Pedris very special EM
A strong argument for Messi too
By Sebastian Schneider
The European Football Championship is over for Spain. In a tournament in which Luis Enrique’s team did not always convince, there is one constant: Pedri. The 18-year-old lets his coach rave about and hallucinate his teammates.
The last 911 just hit the net when Pedri buries his face in his jersey. Unlike against Switzerland, this time he was not substituted before the penalty shoot-out. But before it could come to his duel with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, it was over. With his casual shot, his teammate Jorginho buried the final dreams of the Spaniards. And Pedri? The 18-year-old couldn’t hold back tears. Thiago later took care of his team-mate, knowing full well that it was not the last chance for a final for the FC Barcelona teenager.
On the contrary: The young Spaniard is probably the future of the “Furia Roja”. At the latest after the dramatic semi-final at the EM and the furious knockout game, everyone is aware of this. He was ennobled by his national coach Luis Enrique: “His performances, how he interprets the game, his quality, his personality. I’ve never seen someone like him.” The former Barça coach does not remember any other 18-year-old who did what Pedri did in a major tournament.
His teammates know that too. Attacker Alvaro Morata even doubted his own perception: “Pedri makes me hallucinate, he plays as if he had 40 years of experience.” Few would have his personality and attitude, “he will be one of the best in the history of Spain,” continued Morata.
Almost 100 percent accuracy of fit
The hymn of praise could be written on forever. Even the really big comparisons, with a time when Spain dominated the entire world of football with its style of play, are tried again and again. Luis Enrique even said that there was no logic in believing that world champion Andres Iniesta would have been just as far at the age of 18.
An 18-year-old who is already being compared with the really big ones? How Pedri justifies the hype can be seen in this gripping EM semifinals. Of course, in addition to him, veteran Sergio Busquets and Leipzig’s Dani Olmo also stood out, who also delivered remarkable performances. But Pedri was maybe a corner better. With those special moments. In the 120 minutes he had a pass accuracy of 97 percent, in the regular playing time even one of 100.
This accuracy is no accident. The Spaniard is characterized by incredible game intelligence. And that already at the age of 18. You could put it this way: In order to understand why Pedri is already so important for Spain, you shouldn’t pay attention to what he’s doing with the ball, but watch it beforehand. Just before he gets the ball. Again and again he scans his surroundings. This means he knows when to play where.
For example, in the 13th minute against Italy when he was given too much space by his opponents. He took advantage of that directly. He received the ball with his back to the goal, a quick turn and everyone noticed: This is now dangerous. With three or four quick contacts, he picked up the pace of the Italian sixteen and outplayed four Squadra Azurra defenders with one pass. Not just a dream for fans of the packing rate. However, the now completely free Mikel Oyarzabal tripped the ball. But the scene did not end there.
Instead of waving in frustration, as many would probably do, Pedri immediately went into counter-pressing and not only prevented the counterattack of the Italians, but also got the ball back with a tackle. It is part of his style of play. Not just the fine passes that tear apart a complete defensive order.
But if they don’t work, he simply takes the balls back. As a former athlete, the Spaniard is a classic endurance runner anyway. No other field player reeled off more kilometers at this European Championship. And while we’re in the considerable statistics department: At least as impressive as the accuracy of the pass is that Pedri is the player with the third most ball contacts at this European Championship.
Hope for Spain and Messi?
And he does not only achieve such values in the national team. In the midfield of FC Barcelona he played 52 competitive games last season and missed only one in the Spanish league. Sometimes he becomes the hope of two teams. Because as painful as it may be at the moment to leave the Spanish national team, there is also great potential in this team. With Busquets and Jordi Alba, two veteran props will soon be saying goodbye. But with Pedri, Olmo, goalkeeper Unai Simon, Manchester City’s Rodri and Co., a new, exciting generation is ready.
The same goes for Pedris Club. Meanwhile, the Spanish press called him, Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong Barças “triangle of hope”. FC Barcelona is fighting with all means to keep the long-time superstar Messi. The monetary side poses huge problems for the Catalans. And they will probably not be able to pay the salary that Messi wants. But what if you put a powerful team at his side? He is said to have a special relationship with Pedri.
Pedri, Ansu Fati, de Jong: These are all stars of the next generation. The first public emigration thoughts came to Messi after the 2-8 debacle against Bayern in the Champions League a year ago. Perhaps the prospect of being able to win everything again soon can persuade him to stay?
There is still some time until the start of the season. Meanwhile, the endurance runner Pedri doesn’t take a break after the European Championships. After the continental tournament, it’s time to travel to the Olympic Games. “I just love playing football and I am happy that I can keep playing,” he told a Spanish radio station, given the busy schedule. He’s allowed to do that again in Tokyo. And who knows, maybe he doesn’t need to be comforted again in the end.
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