Barcelona comebacks are still a thing… and the brilliance of Pedri

Last year, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona came back to beat the odds on a number of occasions, often against strong opposition. These games highlighted the mental toughness that has developed at Barcelona, something that may have been lacking for a number of years, even before the financial crisis really started to spread to the mainstream.

When you view these comebacks from that perspective, you can begin to draw a lot of positives: the comeback against Real Madrid in the Clásico to secure La Liga at the Montjuïc, another against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, and the Champions League tie against Benfica. We can also mention how Barcelona were minutes away from completing the grandest comeback in their second-leg semi-final against Inter Milan at the San Siro, before conceding in the final minutes of the 90 and again in extra time, missing out on the Champions League final they have been waiting just over 10 years to reach.

Was it silly to think that, with the domestic dominance Barcelona stamped over Spanish football last season, they were due to start this season exhibiting the same? This weekend against newly promoted Levante, the first half showed how they really struggled. Constantly cut open by the long ball, the highly questioned high line seemed to be facing a few issues, leaving Barça exposed at the back. By half-time, they found themselves 2–0 down.

Pedri, the rhythm of Barcelona

Having a player like Pedri, who can control the tempo of a game with such elegance, is priceless. He never seems rushed, dictating play at his own pace. Not to sound cliché, but Pedri genuinely plays football at his tempo. He may not be the loudest or flashiest, but he is constant — setting the rhythm not just for his team, but often for the opposition too.

His vision allows him to unlock space for teammates or deliver the decisive final ball. He understands when to play safe, when to accelerate, and what pass to choose. His comprehension of football’s rhythm is second to none. For Barcelona, Pedri is the rhythm.

His teammate and French international Jules Kounde echoed the same sentiment as he left a comment on an Instagram post of Pedri: “Sometimes I see you playing and I say… how easy is football.” And honestly Jules, I could not have put it better myself.

That’s exactly what makes Pedri special. He simplifies the game, but beneath that simplicity lies a rare mastery.

More than a No. 10

Pedri’s skill set and confidence allow him to get involved all over the pitch, and for me this is the best way to utilise a player of his talents. For a period of time, Pedri had been pigeonholed as a classic “number 10,” especially when playing in the national team for Spain. But limiting him to a purely creative role wastes his talent. His best football comes when he’s constantly involved in build-up, deep midfield play, higher up dictating tempo, and even the final third.

Few midfielders today can operate across all phases of play. Pedri can. Performing at your best when utilised in all phases of the game is a rarity in midfielders today, as most seem to come with a speciality or specific skill set. But Pedri is a master of a few different ones.

Pedri’s defensive work

Due to all the above, a lot of people think Pedri has defensive deficiencies — which can be argued to some extent. However, the stats say otherwise, or at least show major improvements in that regard.

Last season he had the most recoveries amongst players in the top five European leagues. He is also known for covering the most distance in his team, and often covers the most distance on the pitch.

These new aspects Pedri is adding to his repertoire are great to see. We as fans sometimes forget how young he is due to the amount of games and experience under his belt at the age of 22. It reminds us he still has more gears to his game, and as good as he is now, Pedri is self-aware and understands where there is room for improvement.

Pedri and Yamal: Barcelona’s heartbeat

A lot of the spotlight at Barcelona is rightly on Lamine Yamal, the wonderkid chosen to wear the iconic No. 10. But Pedri’s importance is on a similar level, and what’s even more exciting is the understanding the two already share.

Many times when watching Barcelona you will notice that, when in possession, Pedri is always looking to find Yamal at the earliest opportunity or at the correct timing when Yamal is in the space or position to be as devastating as possible to the opposition. It sounds simple enough but is harder said than done.

When not done enough, or not done efficiently, it will always hinder the output and ability of world-class attackers to win games. You can think of Ødegaard (who has been criticised for not doing this as effectively over the past season) and how Arsenal look to get the ball to Saka. Trent Alexander-Arnold also springs to mind, with how he would always look to release Salah into space and how that worked so successfully for them over the years. Pedri and Yamal combine in a similar fashion, and they do it so elegantly.

Levante comeback: Pedri’s statement

When the team isn’t performing like they usually do, you can count on one of these two magicians to pull something really special out of the bag. Back to the second half, 2–0 down against Levante, Pedri did just that.

We mentioned how he was a constant in the team proven on the eye and on the stat sheet as he completed 118/127 passes, while the whole Levante side completed just 93. This shows the level of control on a game we are talking about here.

But now he is also adding those flashier, clutch moments, such as scoring a wonder of a goal to kickstart the comeback in the second half while things were looking pretty bleak for the Blaugrana.

After receiving the ball from Yamal, working a short corner outside of the penalty area, he took a touch to set before striking the ball superbly. The ball swerved in before flighting outwards, as if directed into the top corner, before he jogged straight back to restart the game the beginning of another late Barcelona comeback. They went on to win 3–2, with an own goal from a Yamal cross in the 91st minute. This just comes back to the point of these two gems giving Barcelona that little bit extra to pull themselves through.

The best in the world?

Critics often mentioned Pedri and his injury issues, with his trouble staying fit consistently being a huge concern. This happened so often that it opened the door to those who wondered like myself what it would be like to see a fully fit Pedri over the duration of a full season and more.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what it looks like.

For me, he is the best midfielder in the world right now.