Pedri and Sergio, midfield machines

The midfield duo of Pedri and Sergio Busquets have impressed all season at FC Barcelona and are now doing likewise for Spain at Euro 2020, where together with Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba they are through to the semi-finals and a showdown at Wembley against Italy.

Phenomenal Pedri

Pedri is just 18 years old but was the most used player in the Barça squad last season. His 52 games was the 12^th highest total in any of Europe’s top five leagues.

Spain manager Luis Enrique had been keeping a close eye on the Canary Islander and decided he was ready to represent the national team at senior level. Indeed, he has started all five of Spain’s game so far, and all he has missed was the final minute of the quarter final with Switzerland. Only three outfield players have featured throughout the campaign.

It means that as well as his 52 games for his club, Pedri has also played four games for Spain U21 and eight for the senior side this season, and even when Euro 202 is over, he won’t be getting a break. He’ll be packing his bags for Tokyo to join the Olympic squad’s bid for gold.

Sergio Busquets, tireless veteran

Sergio Busquets has also had a long season. He played 50 games for Barça this season, and eight for Spain, always performing impeccably, although he missed the first two games of Euro 2020 after testing positive for Covid-19. But once recovered, he has been wearing the captain’s armband in three consecutive games.

Key performers

The two players are as essential in midfield for Spain as they are for FC Barcelona. Key components of the build-up, they are also key ball-winners. Pedri (21) and Sergio (19, with two fewer games) are among the players that have recovered the most balls in the competition. Busquets was named UEFA Man of the Match both in the game against Slovakia and the last 16 victory over Croatia. 

Jordi Alba is also having a long, intense season. The defender has totalled 56 games for club and country, and has also collected an MVP award at Euro 2020 for his performance against Poland. It was also his shot, albeit eventually recorded as an own goal, that opened the scoring against Switzerland in the quarter finals.

Eric Garcia, signed from Manchester City for next season, has played in the games against Slovakia and Croatia and like Pedri will be going to Japan for the Olympics once the tournament has concluded.