Madrid, Xavi Hernandez was delighted with Barcelona display in the 4-1 win over Valencia at Mestalla.

The Barcelona head coach singled out Pedri for high praise after the midfielder came off the bench to score a stunning goal.

“I am very satisfied and happy. We were not as brilliant or excellent as [we were] in some moments against Napoli, but we were effective,” Xavi said after the game.

“We also showed that we can suffer. We suffered in the second half, we lacked [taking a] pause and calmness.

“The first half was very good. The game was difficult. It was a match in which he had to roll up our sleeves. Another game away from home in which we leave satisfied.

“We leave with three excellent points from a difficult ground. The victory is very good. The goals were fantastic.”

Xavi then spoke of Pedri’s display in glowing terms.

“He gives us a break, he doesn’t lose the ball, he’s both footed… he’s superlative,” Xavi said.

“What he does, how he turns, the tempo… it’s fantastic. He’s top level and he’s only 19 years old.

“He’s spectacular, and there’s no bigger prospect in the world than him. We have to pamper him.

“He makes the difference in the game, in the area… he wins the ball back. It’s wonderful to have him. He comes on for half an hour and is transcendent.

“He’s not a normal player. There are few others like him.”

The coach also praised Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who scored his first two goals in a Barcelona shirt.

“He has scored goals all his career,” he said. “He gets into space well. He is mature, intelligent, humble and positive.

“I am delighted with him. The two goals will give him confidence.”

Despite the big win, Xavi doesn’t want to get carried away.

“We have peace of mind until Thursday. And then, on Sunday… and so on,” he said.

“We have to continue. We are not in a good situation. We are in the Champions League [places] but we are in urgent need [of points].

Xavi concluded, “We have to be more consistent and reliable. We have to know how to defend with and without the ball, and we’re lacking that,” the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

Source: Oman News Agency