Barcelona managed to secure a very difficult victory over Rayo Vallecano (1-0) in the 24th round of La Liga, thus returning to the top of the standings on goal difference over second-place Real Madrid.
Despite the victory, the match was marred by a lot of refereeing controversy, which sparked tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid, led by Florentino Perez, who continues to complain about Spanish refereeing.
However, amidst these circumstances, and according to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, player Pedri emerged as one of the most prominent figures, expressing his frustration at the continued presence of certain players on the bench. He demanded that coach Hansi Flick include the duo Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres in the starting lineup on an ongoing basis.
Pedri believes that the presence of these two players alongside the rest of the attacking options could give the team greater dynamism and energy, something that Barcelona has lacked in recent matches.
Despite the team’s victory over Rayo Vallecano, Pedri was unable to hide his dissatisfaction with the repeated exclusion of Olmo and Ferran Torres. Pedri feels that their introduction in the final minutes completely changes the shape of the team, as Barcelona’s attacking performance improves significantly. Ferran Torres brings vitality and speed, while Olmo possesses the ability to create and set up opportunities.
On the other hand, Pedri believes that Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, despite his experience, is no longer able to provide the same level of performance due to his advancing age.
Ferran Torres’ recent performances, especially during his appearances in the second half, have had a significant impact on the shape of Barcelona’s attack. The Spaniard has shown his ability to start quickly and pose a constant threat to opposing defenses. As for Olmo, he has been creative with powerful shots and has created many attacking opportunities, making his presence in the starting lineup more than necessary.
Given his experience and success with the team, Pedri feels that a change must take place in the starting lineup if Barcelona wants to maintain their chances of competing for titles. Pedri insists on the need to rely on Ferran Torres and Olmo, considering that they can make a significant difference in upcoming matches, whether in La Liga or in European competitions. For Hansi Flick, there is no doubt that this pressure from the Catalan players will impact his tactical decisions in upcoming matches. With the development of players like Pedri, it has become essential for Flick to re-evaluate his game plans.