Pedro’s potential departure for Manchester United is casting a shadow over Barcelona’s preparations for their latest trophy tilt ahead of Friday’s Spanish Super Cup first leg trip to Athletic Bilbao.
The Spain winger was left out of the starting line-up for Tuesday’s 5-4 UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla, but scored an extra time clincher after being introduced from the bench.
After the game, Barca’s powers-that-be provided three different explanations for his omission: club president Josep Maria Bartomeu described it as a “technical decision”, manager Luis Enrique claimed the forward was carrying a minor injury, but director of football Robert Fernandez said he was discarded because he wants to leave the club. Pedro was clearly frustrated both by being left out of the starting line-up and by newly-appointed Fernandez’s comments.
“Robert said some very unfortunate things today,” he said. “I’ve hardly said two words to him and he doesn’t know what I have experienced at this club to speak about me like that.”
The usually reserved winger also fired a shot in the direction of Enrique, adding: “I was angry at not starting but as always I tried to be professional, come off the bench and help the team.”
With Neymar still absent through illness for the trip to Bilbao, Pedro has another opportunity to earn a place in the starting line-up and insisted that his consideration of a move to Manchester is motivated by a desire for more playing time rather than financial rewards.
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“It’s tricky because of many things,” he said. “It’s not about money – it’s a question of continuity, of getting minutes. I am an ambitious player.”
In the opposition camp, Athletic defender Mikel Balenziaga insists he is not frightened by the task of marking Lionel Messi despite being embarrassed by the Argentine star during their last meeting in the Copa del Rey final in May.
That game at the Nou Camp saw Messi dribble past Balenziaga and three more Athletic defenders to score one of the goals of the season, but the left-back is looking at the positives of facing Barca’s ace again.
“Messi is a player of another level,” said the 27 year-old. “I don’t mean he’s unstoppable, but almost. It was exciting for me and I will always remember I marked the best in the world. I’d repeat the experience as often as possible.”
