Barcelona midfielder Pedri: ‘If any team can do it, it’s us’
Ahead of the Copa del Rey second leg against Atlético Madrid, Pedri is hoping for a famous comeback win.
Barcelona face a massive uphill task as they approach the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. Atlético brushed Barcelona aside in the first leg, cruising to a 4-0 win in the capital.
For Barça, Pedri will be the focus of much attention for the second leg as he continues his return from injury. Tuesday’s game will likely see the midfielder return to the starting XI after being sidelined for a month. With Frenkie de Jong ruled out with a hamstring injury, Pedri will have a key part to play for Hansi Flick’s side.
The Canary Islander, in an interview with TV3’s ‘Gol a Gol’ program, spoke about the possibility of a famous comeback. Asked about the first leg loss, Pedri said: “It was our worst first half of the season, both with and without the ball. We were completely outplayed. We didn’t do anything we’re known for. But soccer gives us a chance for revenge and to turn things around.”
“Last year against this same opponent, we managed to score four goals in 70 minutes,“ Pedri continued. ”If any team can do it again, it’s us. We have a young squad, and that also means a touch of recklessness and madness. We believe in our chances until the very end."
After Real Madrid’s shock exit at the hands of Albacete, the winner of Atlético and Barcelona will be the strong favorites to clinch this year’s Copa del Rey. For Atlético it would be a major achievement, having not won the competition since the 2012/13 season. For Barcelona, advancing to the final means overturning a four-goal deficit on Tuesday night.
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