"We should have kept the defensive line deeper"

Barcelona midfielder Pedri regretted that his team let a two-goal lead slip away on Tuesday in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals against Atletico Madrid (4-2), and recalled that something similar already happened to them in the last visit of the colchoneros in La Liga EA Sports in December (1-2).

“It's not the worst result, but when you're 4-2 up, it's complicated to leave with a draw. It already happened to us in La Liga that in the last few minutes we threw it away and we're doing it again. We have to learn from these things, especially having the ball more and keeping the defensive line deeper in the last minutes”, summarised the Spanish midfielder in declarations to 'Teledeporte'.

From the pitch of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Pedri analysed that the match started “with a hard blow” for the Catalan team, who conceded two goals in six minutes, but praised “how the team reacted”, although he insisted that when they came back from behind they lacked “more calm with the ball”.

“I feel important in the team, that's what the coach tells me, but I prefer the team to win and talk about the team,” added the Spanish international, who said he has full confidence in the team for the second leg at the Metropolitano.

 

February 26, 2025