Flick Criticizes Pedri for Exiting After 72 Minutes of Play
Hansi Flick has publicly criticized Pedri for leaving the pitch after just 72 minutes during a La Liga match against Atlético de Madrid. The Barcelona midfielder appeared exhausted and in pain, leading to his substitution for Marc Casadó. At the time of Pedri’s exit, Barcelona was ahead 2-1.
Pedri’s Performance and Injury Concerns
Pedri’s decision to request a substitution raised eyebrows, especially since he had recently returned from a hamstring injury. The player had only managed 30 minutes against Deportivo Alavés prior to facing Atlético. His early withdrawal has sparked concerns about his fitness level and the risk of re-injury.
Dani Olmo’s Injury
In addition to Pedri’s situation, the match also saw an unfortunate injury to Dani Olmo. The forward sustained an injury while scoring Barcelona’s second goal and subsequently had to leave the field. This compounded the challenges for the team.
Criticism of Management Decisions
Flick criticized Luis de la Fuente for not managing his players effectively. He highlighted the risk of overworking Pedri, who had only recently returned from injury. The lack of proper pacing for the young midfielder has raised questions regarding the team’s training approach and player management.
Summary of Match Events
- Match: Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid
- Score at substitution: Barcelona 2 – Atlético Madrid 1
- Pedri substituted at: 72 minutes
- Dani Olmo injured during goal celebration
- Álex Baena also substituted due to physical discomfort
These developments bring significant concern for Barcelona as they navigate the rest of the season. The team must carefully manage their players’ health to avoid further setbacks in performance.
