Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Barcelona secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica within the first-leg fixture of the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 on Wednesday night time.
It was a stable show from the Blaugrana who performed with solely ten males on the pitch for greater than an hour after Pau Cubarsi’s first-half crimson card.
Raphinha scored the one purpose of the sport whereas Wojciech Szczesny stood like a wall within the purpose, stopping the whole lot that the Benfica gamers threw at him.
Nevertheless it was Pedri who walked away with the Man of the Match award for Barcelona, as he managed and dictated the play in the midst of the park in a masterful method.
Pedri to be rested towards Osasuna
Now, although Mundo Deportivo experiences that Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick may determine to relaxation Pedri later this weekend once they tackle CA Osasuna in La Liga.
Rotations are to be anticipated within the lineup given the brief length between fixtures and Pedri may very well be one of many gamers that the supervisor holds again, particularly with the second leg towards Benfica arising quickly after.
Pedri was Barcelona’s finest participant vs Benfica. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
The 22-year-old is known to be ‘exhausted’ after the sport at Estadio da Luz, the place he lined probably the most distance of all gamers, clocking in 13.18 km.
Pedri has featured in 40 matches in all competitions for Barcelona this season, lacking only one sport by way of gastroenteritis. The midfield maestro has began 38 of these, contributing 5 targets and 6 assists.
The continuity in matches has been key for Pedri to take care of his rhythm and keep away from any bodily setbacks like previously seasons, which is why Flick has been reluctant to relaxation him in video games.
Nevertheless, with the enterprise finish of the season on the horizon, managing his minutes will turn out to be essential and as such, there’s a chance that the Spanish worldwide will get a break on Saturday towards Osasuna.
The likes of Gavi, Marc Casado, and Fermin Lopez are all ready within the wings for his or her probability ought to Flick determine to go down that route.
*Participant valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.
