In one of the most thrilling Champions League matches this season, Barcelona pulled off a historic 5-4 victory over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz. The match saw wild swings in momentum, with Benfica initially seeming in control, but Barcelona’s resilience shone through as they mounted a dramatic comeback in the closing stages.
Following the remarkable turnaround, Barcelona’s star Pedri praised his teammate Frenkie de Jong for his crucial impact after coming on as a second-half substitute. Pedri, in a show of immense support for the Dutch midfielder, told coach Hansi Flick that De Jong had returned to his world-class form, making him an essential figure for the team in the crucial part of the season. Pedri’s words—”I want him next to me on the pitch”—highlighted the strong bond and mutual respect between the players. De Jong’s excellent ball control and influence in midfield allowed Pedri the freedom to push forward and create attacking opportunities, ultimately helping to seal the victory for Barcelona.
This glowing endorsement of De Jong not only highlights his importance to the team but also puts pressure on Flick to include him in the starting lineup moving forward, especially with key matches ahead in the Champions League.
