Super-charged Pedri eyes Olympic glory with Spain after Euro 2020 heartbreak

Barcelona wonderboy heads into second major tournament of summer on back of a successful first season with Catalan giants

Spain's Pedri under pressure from Domenico Berardi in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London. EPA

A year ago today, a 17-year-old Pedro Gonzalez Lopez, ‘Pedri’ to his friends, was weighing up options. He had just scored what turned out to be his last goal in the Spanish second division, for Las Palmas. He was due to join Barcelona but there were no certainties where he would fit in.

At his age, he would logically go to Barca B, the feeder team playing in the third tier. There was a possibility he might carry on at Las Palmas, on loan. Pedri announced a higher ambition. “I want to fight for a place in the Barcelona first team,” he said. He was applauded for his drive, and identified as not only a prospect for the future, but a determined one. Yet the future, with his 18th birthday still months away, was being planned in the long term.

Fast forward 12 months and Pedri enters the men’s football at the Olympic Games — a competition that begins on Thursday with Spain against Egypt as a standout fixture — as the tournament’s star. He is the youngest member of a Spain squad rich in talent and know-how. Six of them, including Pedri, were involved in the semi-final of the European Championships only 16 days ago.

By the end of that epic, lost on a penalty shoot-out against Italy, Pedri had covered more ground in the tournament — over 76km — than any other footballer at Euro 2020. It is perhaps as well for the long-distance athletes gathered in Tokyo he has not been selected for the Olympic marathon too.

It has been a marathon year for the midfielder, who played over 50 times for Barcelona’s first-team in his debut season, inspired a Copa del Rey triumph, and could claim to have played a role in persuading club legend Lionel Messi to remain at Barca. The on-the-pitch complicity between the 34-year-old Argentine and the boyish Canary Islander with the sharp eye for a pass has been an evident joy for Messi.

As for Pedri the international, he made his senior Spain debut only in March, already dubbed 'The New Andres Iniesta'. He was soon undroppable, as trusted as any Spain player to initiate attacks.

By the end of the Euros, he was not only the most voracious runner at the tournament, but also its most positive mover with the ball, if you gauge that by his unmatched number of runs, in possession, into the last third of the pitch. His nomination as Euro 2020s Best Young Player was a given.

Normally, a country’s Olympic team is regarded as a sort of stepping-stone level. The regulations limit squads to only three players over 24, but such has been Pedri’s precocious rise that he could still be in contention for the next Games.

Pedri, centre, and Lionel Messi, right, have linked up well on the pitch at Barcelona. EPA

His presence in Japan is a bonus for Spain’s Olympic coach, Luis de la Fuente, and viewed with mixed feelings from Camp Nou. An expedition to Japan that had been considered as useful experience for an 18-year-old now looks like a cause of possible fatigue for a player who has accumulated far more experience in the last year than almost anybody imagined possible.

But Pedri operates with supercharged batteries, and there is every hope he will return for the new club season with an Olympic medal that acts as compensation for the heartbreak at Wembley, when Spain went toe-to-toe with Italy over 120 minutes.

Likewise for Dani Olmo, whose superb semi-final at Euro 2020 ended with missing his spot-kick in the shoot-out. Goalkeeper Unai Simon, defenders Eric Garcia and Pau Torres and striker Mikel Oyarzabal are the other Spaniards who have shuttled quickly from the Euros to Japan for a second prestigious tournament of the summer.

“They have all come in and integrated perfectly,” said De la Fuente. “We have a great group of players who I believe will match expectations.”

The head coach acknowledges that Spain look the most competitive, worldly contenders in the 16-team tournament. The likes of Germany, France and Argentina have not leaned on stars from their recent European Championship or Copa America campaigns, while Brazil have concentrated their wealth of experience mainly in one man.

Dani Alves, ex of Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain and a serial collector of trophies as a tireless attacking right-back, is one of Brazil’s three ‘over-age’ players. He’s 38. That’s two whole decades older than Pedri.

Italy beat Spain in Euro 2020 semi-finals: player ratings

ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 - A big save in the first half kept the game even. The young goalkeeper had to deal with much more than usual on the night and dealt with the majority of questions asked. Saved Morata's penalty to put his side in position to win the shootout.

Emerson 7 - The Chelsea man had the difficult task of replacing Leonardo Spinazzola on Tuesday night and looked comfortable on the left flank. Surging runs up the park opened up the attack for Italy in some of their most dangerous moments.

Giorgio Chiellini 7 - No nonsense from Chiellini. The veteran defender may not have the passing range of some other players but his defensive work was as strong as ever at Wembley.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo 6 - Alert to the danger from a cross that was destined for Ferran Torres. Sometimes over-exuberant with a number of fouls.

Marco Verratti 6 - Had a difficult evening with Koke intent on reducing the playmaker’s time on the ball. Italy’s midfield couldn’t seem to control the game as well as usual at Wembley.

Nicolo Barella 5 - Tasked with nullifying Sergio Busquets who was having success transitioning the ball forwards. The Internazionale midfielder has been impressive throughout the tournament but he wasn’t at his best on Tuesday.

Lorenzo Insigne 5 - Not as effective as usual in a fairly quiet display from one of Italy’s best players at the tournament. Replaced by Belotti in the 85th minute.

Ciro Immobile 5 - Worked hard but not involved much overall. Replaced just after the hour.

SUB: Domenico Berardi (Immobile 62) 6 - An instant spark on the attack and forced Spain’s defence back. Should have done better with a couple of opportunities.

SUB: Matteo Pessina (Verratti 74) N/A - The Atalanta star has scored twice so far at Euro 2020 but couldn’t add to his tally on Tuesday night.

SUB: Rafael Toloi (Emerson 74) N/A - On for Emerson who had worked hard throughout the night.

SUB: Andrea Belotti (Insigne 85) N/A - Ran the channels well to provide an out-ball for teammates.

Unai Simon 7 - Sloppy start to second half and seemed reluctant to use his hands at times, but then made key saves, including in the penalty shoot out.

Cesar Azpilicueta 6 - Difficult to deal with Insigne on the left but good interception led to an attack where Busquets shot just over. His epic year so far ended here, but Spain’s issues were more up front than in defence.

Aymeric Laporte 8 - Spain’s best defender. He played a high line, a tactic vindicated as Spain had 70 per cent possession in the first half – an incredible stat. Made a key block just before Italy took the lead with a devastating counter. Touched the ball 160 times – more than any player in any game at the tournament.

Jordi Alba 7 - Set up Oyarzabal on 39 minutes in another rapid Spain move. Supported attacks, got wide and forward to give options. Carried the captain’s armband with pride at the end.

Pedri 9 - Key player as Spain totally outplayed Italy in the first half. Lovely first time passes as Spain dominated in midfield. The only player with 100 per cent passing accuracy in the first half – and he completed more than Verratti and Jorginho combined.

Sergio Busquets 8 - A master of the dark arts, he was eyeball to eyeball with Chiellini as the first half came to an end. He and Barça teammate Pedri were the main men. Badly missed when he went off.

Mikel Oyarzabal 6 - Started for first time in tournament. Played right and was one on one after 39 but ballooned the ball over the bar. Missed a header from six yards at the far most after 67 – another superb chance for Spain.

Ferran Torres 7 - Played left of Olmo in a surprise Spain starting XI. Shot wide after 14 minutes as Spain got over a pressured start to attack. Spain pressed hard and high and got their tactics right.

Daniel Olmo 7 - Surprise start ahead of Morata. Dropped into midfield when needed as Spain played a false nine. It confused and drew the Italians out in the first half. Shot wide after 67 minutes but set up Morata for the equaliser. Terrible penalty in the shoot out.

SUB: Morata 7 (On for Torres after 61). Couple of half chances but didn’t look confident – like when he had to strike for goal on 77 but was too hesitant. And then he scored, a clever, calm finish after 79. Poor, slow, penalty though.

SUB: Rodri 6 (On for Koke on 69). Played deep, too deep when Busquets went off.

SUB: Gerard Moreno 6 (On for Oyarzabal on 69). Couldn’t finish an epic season on a high. Scored his penalty, though.

SUB: Marcos Llorente 6 (On for Azpilicueta on 85). Made a difference on the right.

SUB: Thiago 5 (On for Busquets after 106). He was poor and gave the ball away too many times. Incredible confidence for his penalty though.

SUB: Pau Torres (On for Garcia on 109).