Pedri expresses concerns after Athletic Club 4-2 Barcelona: “We are conceding a lot of goals”

Barcelona saw their Copa del Rey dreams come crashing down as they were handed a 4-2 defeat by Athletic Club in the quarter-finals away at San Mames.

After conceding in the first minute of the match, Barça fought their way back through goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, but the Basque club equalised early in the second period.

With Yamal missing two gilt-edged chances, the match was forced into extra time and that is when Inaki Williams and Nico Williams struck to win it for Athletic Club.

Speaking after the match, manager Xavi Hernandez and captain Ronald Araujo insisted they were proud of the fight Barcelona had shown despite the disappointing outcome.

And, midfield maestro Pedri, who did not have the best of games, urged the team to take a step forward and improve, especially in defence as they were conceding too many goals.

“We are conceding a lot of goals this season. It’s clear that we need to go out and get more into the games, it’s happened to us several times. We all need to take a step forward, because that will make the difference,” said Pedri.

Expressing his regret at not progressing further in the Copa del Rey tournament, Pedri added: “We wanted this title, we had it in our minds, but it didn’t happen. We made a lot of effort but we’re leaving with this tough defeat. We all have to come out more committed, we have to take a step forward.”

However, the Spanish international insisted that it is important for the team to regroup and focus on the two titles they are still in contention for, saying:

“We’re screwed, but we have to change the chip. We have to think that there are two titles left and we’re going to compete for them until the end.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo