Barcelona vs Cadiz: Pedri and Ferran save Barcelona from consecutive draws

Barcelona players celebrate scoring against Cadiz || Imago

Barcelona vs Cadiz: Pedri and Ferran save Barcelona from consecutive draws

Faruq Ibrahim 20:38 - 20.08.2023

Barcelona secure their first win of the campaign in their first home game of the season.

Barcelona were headed for a second consecutive draw before Pedri and Ferran Torres's late strikes helped them to a 2-0 victory against Cadiz.

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The Blaugrana drew their first game of the season after a tightly contested match against Getafe, and with Real Madrid on six points, the pressure was on to beat Cadiz.

They hosted the Yellow Submarines at the Montjuic stadium, with Camp Nou under construction, and even without Xavi on the sidelines, they managed to grab all three points.

How it happened

Xavi Hernandez had to watch his team from the stands while his brother Oscar Hernandez served as acting manager because the former Al Sadd boss was shown red in the draw against Getafe. 

16-year-old Lamine Yamal also came on for Raphinha, who also saw red, while Frenkie de Jong started at centre-back in place of the injured Ronald Araujo, with Gavi starting in midfield. 

The first-half was a show of profligacy by the Blaugrana, with Robert Lewandowski and young Yamal both spawning big chances.  

Lamine Yamal missed a big chance for Barcelona against Cadiz || Imago
Lamine Yamal missed a big chance for Barcelona against Cadiz || Imago

The second-half was a much better showing for Xavi's side, as they looked much sharper, but Cadiz continued to frustrate them. 

Following a host of changes, the Blaugrana looked sharper, and thanks to ingenious play by Pedri and Gundogan, they went ahead in the 82nd minute of the game. 

Ferran Torres ensured all three points in the 94th minute, running in behind a stretched Cadiz backline to finish past Jeremias Ledesma.