Barcelona midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were outstanding in the 2-1 win against Newcastle United in the Champions League opener at St James’ Park last night.
While Marcus Rashford hogged the limelight for his stunning double, the midfield duo were even more influential in the victory.
Pedri pulled the strings with his usual exuberance, helping the Catalan giants dominate possession.
He completed 84 passes with an accuracy of 91 per cent, including 14 passes into the final third. He created one big chance and won nine duels in the game.
De Jong, who was returning from injury, anchored the midfield with ease.
The Dutch maestro nearly produced a flawless performance, registering the most number of passes (86) with a 99% success rate.
His penchant for progressive carrying and passes was evident again, as he delivered 16 passes into the final third, while creating two big chances.
His defensive work was also notable, with three tackles, two interceptions and four duels won.
The duo’s rich technical proficiency helped them evade Newcastle’s relentless pressure for large spells of the game.
De Jong and Pedri were pivotal in overcoming the first big hurdle of the season against the Magpies, showing why they are one of the best midfield partnerships in the world.
Pedri’s numbers are staggering this season. The Spanish magician ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes and 97th for progressive carries.
De Jong is also no slouch – he is in the 95th percentile for progressive passes and 91st for progressive carries.
De Jong and Pedri were the spine of Hansi Flick’s side that cruised to a domestic treble last season. They agonisingly exited in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The magical duo will be looking to lead the Blaugrana to even greater heights this season.
