Barcelona midfielder Pedri played a crucial role in his team’s dramatic comeback against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, scoring the equalizer that set the stage for a thrilling finish. The 20-year-old, who has been a rising star for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, was overjoyed not only to find the back of the net but also to play alongside his new teammate, Dani Olmo, for the first time at the club level.
Pedri’s goal came at a critical moment in the match, igniting Barcelona’s push to secure a 2-1 victory. The winning goal was delivered by Olmo, who capped off his debut with a decisive strike, much to the delight of fans and teammates alike. Pedri, who has long been eager to share the pitch with Olmo, spoke to the press after the match and couldn’t contain his excitement about their partnership.
“I’m happy with the win and even happier to play with Olmo, which I’ve wanted to do for a while,” Pedri said.
He expressed confidence that Olmo would be a significant addition to the team, praising the new signing’s calmness and understanding of the game.
“What you’ve seen from the outside is that Olmo gives us so much calm. He plays one or two-touch, but when he has to keep it and turn, he can turn. He understands football so well and will help us so much.”
Pedri also shared an amusing detail about his goal, revealing that it would benefit his Fantasy football team.
“I had been talking to Rafa [Raphinha] at halftime about the balls in behind their backline, so I’m happy it worked. I’m even happier because I had myself in Fantasy, so I get more points,” he joked.
Reflecting on the game, Pedri noted that while the team started slowly, they improved significantly in the second half.
“It is normal in the first few matches to adapt to what the coach asks. Preseason was already different because of the Euros and I was coming off an injury. Many players have had to adapt to the style, and we’re finding the way. We were much better in the second half compared to the first, and we have to stay that way,” he said.