Exquisite Pedri Gonzalez At Peak Of Powers As Barcelona Visit Benfica

Barcelona face Benfica on Wednesday in a Champions League last 16 first leg clash with their status as one of Europe's elite sides restored, midfielder Pedri Gonzalez playing a key role in their revival. Hansi Flick's side have been hailed as the most entertaining in the competition and the Canary Islander's genius and creativity fuels the team's engine. Five-time European champions Barcelona scored 28 goals in eight group stage matches as they finished second, behind Liverpool whose haul was 17, with Borussia Dortmund the next highest on 22.

The Catalans notched five of those in Lisbon against Benfica in a thrilling 5-4 comeback win in January which clinched their place in the last 16.

In the group stage they hammered Bayern Munich 4-1 and beat Dortmund 3-2 as Flick's side flexed their muscles.

Pedri's quality and consistency has underpinned Barcelona's fine season to date, with the Catalans top of La Liga, in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and aiming for their first Champions League triumph since 2015.

"I can't describe (Pedri, he's) incredible," said Flick last week.

After a superb breakthrough season in 2020-21 in which Pedri also shone for Spain at Euro 2020 and played 73 matches for club and country, injuries began to plague him.

A study of his genetics last year helped create an individual plan to help improve his fitness and it is paying dividends.

Pedri has already played 39 matches this season for Barcelona across all competitions, more than in any of the three prior campaigns.

Although his tally of five goals and six assists is solid but modest, his performances have been unparallelled.

The 22-year-old is enjoying the best form of his career, producing an array of superb passes in every match, as well as