Stat attack: Barcelona have a flawless record when key duo pairs in midfield
Stat attack: Barcelona have a flawless record when key duo pairs in midfield As Barcelona gear up for a crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid, manager Hansi Flick finds himself dealing with a tricky selection puzzle at the worst possible time. On paper, Barcelona boast one of the most complete midfields in Europe. In reality, however, injuries have forced a sudden rethink just days before a defining European night.
The most notable absence is Frenkie de Jong, whose return has been delayed and is now expected for the upcoming La Liga clash against Espanyol. Adding to Flick’s concerns, young midfielder Marc Bernal is also ruled out after picking up an ankle injury last weekend. These setbacks have left Barcelona short of options in a key area of the pitch, one that often dictates control, tempo, and balance in high-stakes matches.
As things stand, all signs point towards an unexpected yet increasingly trusted solution – a double pivot featuring Pedri alongside Eric Garcia. Eric-Pedri together While the pairing may raise eyebrows at first, there is strong evidence to support the decision. To begin with, this will not be unfamiliar territory for either player, as Pedri and Eric Garcia have already shared midfield responsibilities on multiple occasions.
Eric and Pedri have played five matches together in midfield. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) More importantly, their track record together is flawless. In five matches where the duo have started in central midfield, Barcelona have emerged victorious every single time.
That run includes notable wins across both domestic and European competitions. Among those results are victories against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, as well as strong La Liga performances against Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, and Osasuna. It is a sample size that cannot be ignored, especially heading into a fixture of this magnitude.