Pedri keeps rolling with game 66 of his season in Spain’s Olympics opener | Suzanne Wrack
22-Jul-2021 10:35:40 | The Guardian
Barcelona did not want the 18-year-old to travel to Japan but Spain did and he almost turned draw with Egypt into a win
When Pedri stumbled through a challenge and swept inside to tee up Dani Ceballos, who crashed a long-range effort off the crossbar, we were given the first taste of the 18-year-old’s talent in Tokyo against Egypt. Only 16 days after Spain’s exit from Euro 2020, at which he was named young player of the tournament, Pedri was back on the pitch at the Olympics for his 66th game in 322 days.
That the Spanish football federation brushed off the protestations of Barcelona and the club’s manager, Ronald Koeman, over the inclusion of their young talent in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for Japan – contrasting starkly with the absence of the Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, who was not released by Liverpool – reflected its intent going into the Games.
Related: Spain’s Euro 2020 pain softened by Pedri’s emergence as Iniesta’s heir | Sid Lowe
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