Barcelona showcased their resilience with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday. Despite playing with 10 men for over 70 minutes, the Catalan giants held firm, with midfield maestro Pedri delivering an outstanding performance.
Pedri Leads the Charge
Pedri, 22, was instrumental in Barcelona’s midfield, dictating play even after Dani Olmo was sacrificed following Pau Cubarsi’s early red card. The young Spaniard was relentless, covering every blade of grass to ensure his team maintained control. Speaking to MD after the match, he expressed pride in his team’s determination.
“What the team achieved today after the sending off has a lot of merit. We defended well and made use of our chances through Raphinha, Lamine, and Robert. Balde looked exhausted, and I felt everything going up for me, but I knew I had to keep running because we had to protect the lead.”
Pedri also believed Cubarsi’s sending-off was unjust, arguing that Frenkie de Jong had been fouled in the build-up by Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis.
“We believe that the striker committed a foul before,” he stated.
His tireless display earned him UEFA’s MVP award, though he was quick to credit his goalkeeper.
Szczesny's Heroics
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny played a crucial role in securing the victory, producing eight vital saves. Having struggled in his last outing at Estadio da Luz, he delivered a commanding performance this time.
“It was his best game. The last time we played here, things didn’t go well for him, but today he saved us many times, especially at the start,” Pedri said.
Flick Praises Team Effort
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was full of praise for his team, highlighting their unity and work ethic.
“I am very proud of the team. Playing with one man down from the 22nd minute was not easy, but we defended as a team and showed great spirit,” he said.
Flick also acknowledged Szczesny’s contribution, calling his performance “fantastic,” and lauded Pedri’s influence, stating, “He is at a brutal level, and we are happy to have him.”
Looking ahead to the return leg, Flick remained cautious.
“We are in a good position, but in football, anything can happen. Benfica is a strong team, and the second leg will be tough.”
With a narrow lead, Barcelona will need another resolute performance to secure progression.
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