'Even Iniesta couldn't do it' - Pedri compared to the Spanish great after Euros masterclass
The 18-year-old, who became the youngest player to ever start a match at this point in the competition, completed all 55 of his pass attempts in regular time. They weren’t simple balls, either, and on one occasion in the first half, he played Mikel Oyarbazal through on goal, though the forward notched his first touch.
Luis Enrique praised the performance of Pedri in Spain's semifinal loss to Italy at the European Championship, even comparing the 18-year-old to Spain and Barcelona great Andres Iniesta.
Spain were knocked out of Euro 2020 on Tuesday 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a compelling 1-1 draw. But manager Luis Enrique pointed out the promising play of Pedri, as well as that of Dani Olmo, on a night that ended in a defeat.
"For me Dani Olmo today played an incredible game, something out of the ordinary," Luis Enrique said. "But what Pedri has done in this tournament, at 18, no one has done, not even Andres Iniesta did that, it's incredible, unique."
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Iniesta, who also played for Barcelona, scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. He also was part of the 2008 and 2012 squads that won the Euro title.
The 18-year-old, who became the youngest player to ever start a match at this point in the competition, completed all 55 of his pass attempts in regular time. They weren't simple balls, either, and on one occasion in the first half, he played Mikel Oyarbazal through on goal, though the forward notched his first touch.
Pedri's breakout year has seen him get regular minutes at Barcelona and be selected to compete in the Olympics later this summer. His head coach Luis Enrique even compared him favorably with Andreas Iniesta - one of the highest compliments that can be paid to a young Spaniard.
Olmo, who plays at RB Leipzig, was arguably Spain's best player against the Italians at Wembley Stadium in London. However, his night finished in disappointment when he and Alvaro Morata both missed from the spot in the shootout.
Morata had come off the bench to score the equalizer in the 80th minute after Federico Chiesa had put Italy ahead on the hour mark following a brilliant counter-attack.
Spain were able to control nearly 70% of possession, but as has been the case during the tournament, they were not sharp in attack and were forced to play their third consecutive extra time.
"I give my team a nine out of 10," Luis Enrique said. "In sport, you have to learn to win and lose. You learn more from losing. We have to congratulate our rival. When you lose, you have to stand up and try again."
