Pedri is the key factor making a difference for Barcelona

Barcelona has two of the most promising young players in Europe: Pedri and Lamine Yamal. Both have contributed greatly to the resurgence of the Catalan team, yet Bayer Leverkusen's midfielder Aleix Garcia believes Pedri is the real game-changing star.

The 2024-25 season marked a strong comeback for Barcelona under Hansi Flick. The Camp Nou side won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, and came just one step away from reaching the Champions League final. This success restored Barca's status among Europe’s elite clubs after years of decline and instability both domestically and internationally.

This impressive return was highlighted by the outstanding performances of several players, especially Pedri and Yamal. Pedri is considered the mastermind in midfield, controlling the tempo and shaping the play, to the extent that he was once mentioned in the Ballon d'Or voting. Meanwhile, Yamal has become a versatile attacking threat, troubling defenses with his technique, vision, and sharp finishing. At just 18, Yamal finished second in the Ballon d'Or race, only behind Ousmane Dembele.

In an interview with Sport, Aleix Garcia praised his two Spanish national teammates extensively. However, the Leverkusen star midfielder emphasized that Pedri remains the most crucial key: "For me, Pedri is the key: he brings meaning to the play, knows when to accelerate or slow down the pace, and always helps his teammates perform better. Pedri is operating at an incredible level and makes Barca run smoothly. The coach’s tactical work is important, but Pedri is the one who truly makes a difference."

Regarding Yamal, Garcia is particularly impressed by how the young player handles pressure at such a young age: "Beyond talent, what impresses me is how he manages pressure. Always under scrutiny, but once on the pitch, Yamal pushes all that aside to focus on playing. I really enjoy watching him in the national team; he’s truly extraordinary. We need to nurture him carefully so he can develop step by step, but every match shows that expectations are high because Yamal is exceptionally skilled."

Currently, Barcelona faces a crucial challenge as they visit Real Oviedo. The Catalan club has suffered two consecutive defeats and needs a win to halt this disappointing streak. With Yamal sidelined due to injury, the responsibility will fall on Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, and Ferran Torres. This is an opportunity for Barca to prove their resilience and reaffirm their status after recent setbacks.