‘Pedri makes everything better’ – Hansi Flick hails Barcelona star after Athletic Club win

San Mamés has long been a graveyard for visiting title hopefuls, but Barcelona left Bilbao with their four-point cushion at the LaLiga summit intact after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Athletic Club. The difference-maker off the bench, according to an effusive Hansi Flick, was once again Pedri.

Introduced at half-time, the Canary Islander helped turn a tight contest in Barça’s favour, knitting moves together and allowing team-mates to find pockets of space against a relentless Athletic press. Lamine Yamal supplied the spectacular finish on 66 minutes, yet Flick was quick to highlight the subtle influence of his midfield conductor.

“I said it before: Pedri makes everyone better,” the Barcelona coach told reporters. “He changes the game. He connects very well. Olmo also played better in the second half. The important thing is that everyone fought as a unit.”

The win restored breathing room at the top for the Catalans, who had seen their lead trimmed in recent weeks, and maintained a sequence of clean sheets that Flick believes is vital to sustaining momentum across multiple competitions.

“It’s not easy to play here,” he continued. “We had to manage the minutes after Tuesday’s game. I really value the win, and we kept a clean sheet.”

Flick’s trust in his squad ran deep enough to keep nerves at bay inside the raucous Bilbao cauldron. “I wasn’t nervous today,” he admitted. “I saw them after the 3-0 and I had confidence in them. That’s what we’re aiming for: this great atmosphere and focusing on daily training. Today it was clear it’s not easy to win in this great stadium, with this great team and great fans. It’s amazing to win here.”

Attention now pivots to European duty. Barcelona will travel for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Newcastle, and Flick has already called up 22 players for Saturday’s upcoming clash. With Pedri rounding into form and Yamal providing decisive moments, the German coach believes his evolving side is hitting its stride at precisely the right moment.

Barça’s next assignment in the Basque Country is already on the horizon as they seek another statement victory to keep their silverware ambitions on track.