Barcelona were made to work hard in their second match of the new season, as they came from 2-0 behind to defeat Levante 3-2 at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia. And the architect of that comeback was Pedri, who got the first goal of the evening for Hansi Flick’s side with a wonderfully-arrowed strike into the top corner.
After the match, Pedri spoke to Movistar+ (via MD). He gave his reaction to how things played out in Valencia, and how Barcelona managed to drag themselves back into the match in the second half. He also spoke on his goal.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy ground, we knew they weren’t going to make it easy for us with the ball and it was difficult for us. In the second half we had more possession, Raphinha got between the lines.
“They always tell me to shoot, and today I tried. The first shot with my left foot wasn’t great, but the second went in.”
Pedri “doesn’t understand” Levante penalty decision
Pedri was also asked about the controversial decision to award Levante a penalty after Alejandro Balde was adjudged to have handled the ball by referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez, who was also in charge during the last Clasico of the previous season when a similar incident occurred with Aurelien Tchouameni.
“Recently we were given a talk at the Ciudad Deportiva de las manos. Last season, Tchouaméni’s one in Montjuïc was a clear handball for me, this one wasn’t and they whistled it, so good. What they whistle, will be. The truth is that I don’t understand it, but they should explain it well for everyone.”
It has been a fantastic start to the season for Pedri, who continues to operate as one of the best midfielders in world football. Barcelona are incredibly fortunate to possess a player of his quality, and so far, he is on his way to replicating his displays from last season.
It depends on perceived intent. If it looks accidental then it might NOT be given.
From that photo Balde is clearly blocking the trajectory of the ball with both his hand and his torso for support behind it. It is as clear as daylight that is a penalty.
No two incidents are identical… and in the Aurelien Tchouameni one he is attempting to block the shot with his foot and his arm is away from his body and is naturally being used to balance his posture. The intent in this case is with his leg and the contact is not appearing be intentional.
I know it’s politics but Pedri comes off as looking a bit uneducated (football sense) for citing a very specific case that can be analysed.
Congratulations!
You have spoken like a true bias Real madrid fan.
You are 100% right! He is just a Real fan boy…
And you actually believe the nonsense that came from your mouth. Only a Madrid fan can talk like this. In your explanation you said Balde’s hand is moving towards his torso, if the ball didn’t hit his hand, it would hit his body. In tchouameni’s case it was all hand, away from body. Same referee similar incidents, different outcomes.
The Cypher…That comment is Joke of the Year. You are just a bad fan of Real Madrid. What about Penalty for Real Madrid???Hahahaha…
@The Cypher – you’re wrong. Period.
Remember in the same El Clasico; Fermin had a goal cancelled for a handball too – which was also ball-to-arm… AHH is clearly a RM fan – looks like the son of Butragueno…
Los mediocres sempre encuentran un pretexto !
Extrano ladeando en sospechoso es la suerte que equipos mediocres tienen al encontrar goles que les salvan puntos al ultimo instante !
I am an American who discovered the Beautiful Game back in the early 70s while stationed at Marine Barracks Rota Spain. Barcelona was my first team because of Johan Cruyff and the azul y grana winning the 1st Division Championship. I have remained a huge fan of la Liga since but have switch my allegiance to Andalucia side Real Betis (monque pierda!)
That being said, that was definitely a hand ball and the penalty justified.
I often see players defending, in the box, with their arms held behind their back to avoid a penalty. These players are sly as foxes and know how to cheat, whether on hand balls or diving. How often do you see players writhing on the ground in (supposed) pain, when the replay shows they were barely or not even touched? Those are the types of things that many Americans cannot stand about the manner that players play the beautiful game.