Deconstructing the Messi Pedri connection | Barcelona skills science
Football skills scientist Dr. Raj, DPT deconstructs Barcelona’s Messi Pedri connection and chemistry by detailing three key ways - as illustrated during the match vs Athletic Bilbao on January 6th - the two players create scintillating combinations on the pitch and use their chemistry and array of skills to create exponential advantages for Barcelona | FC Barcelona skills science For reference, I’m a DPT (Doctor of Physio), sports scientist, youth football (soccer) coach, researcher, mindfulness enthusiast and owner of 3CB Performance —providing sports medicine, performance, and mindfulness services online and in-person at clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA. Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or follow on social media: Website: https://www.3cbperformance.com/ Twitter: / 3cbperformance Instagram: / 3cbperformance Here’s a table of contents: 0:00 Intro 0:18 Proximity and outlet 0:51 Elite combination play 1:55 Triangular anticipation 2:29 Outro Script: Welcome it’s Raj from 3CB. Barcelona legend Lionel Messi & starlet Pedri have developed a scintillating synergy on the pitch, highlighted by their collective performance vs Athletic Bilbao on Jan 6th. Let’s breakdown three components of their chemistry from that match. Proximity & Outlet The two often play in close proximity, providing each other a passing and creativity outlet. The two in constant combination with their technical ability and positional awareness creates great advantages for the team whether it’s getting out of danger, effectively recycling possession, or creating opportunities. Elite combination play This play highlights how each’s skill level & chemistry leads to exponential advantages. The ball is played to Messi and Pedri curtails his run to stay onside. Pedri immediately recognizes the pocket of space he’s in off the back shoulder of the defensive line, the potential passing channel with Messi, and makes the forward run. Messi recognizes the run and plays the ball on time to keep Pedri onside. Now things get really good. Pedri plays the first touch to the inside which sucks both defenders inside while Messi continues his run off the back shoulder. Pedri’s second touch is a perfectly weighted back heel. The closest defender and the keeper are completely wrong-footed and Messi finishes into a huge target. Absolute magic from the two, with Messi looking like he’s finally found a viable dancing partner on the pitch. Triangular anticipation This play is actually a connection between Messi, Pedri, and Dutch starlet Frenkie De Jong. De Jong and Pedri both recognize space and make mirroring runs into the box, from different levels. Messi pings the ball beautifully to the back post for De Jong, Pedri continues his run, and De Jong plays an immaculate centering ball for Pedri to finish into an open net. Connectivity completely transforms the game.
