An unconvincing performance from Barcelona still delivered three points after Pedri helped down Celta Vigo in LaLiga.
Pedri was the hero for Barcelona as they saw off a LaLiga challenge from Celta Vigo to take an unpersuasive 1-0 win on Sunday.
Despite a bright, almost bombastic start from Xavi’s side, the Blaugrana gradually weakened again in defending the early lead and eventually escaped with all three points unchanged.
A week after a similar performance against Mallorca, questions may be raised about Barca’s fitness even as they sit at the top of the table.
Still, after losing in the UEFA Champions League to Inter in midweek, the Catalans were at least back to winning ways, while Celta had to rue their difficulties in securing a draw.
Barcelona’s dominant start suggested a famous scoreline and Pedri’s poaching finish after a deflection in the 17th minute certainly whetted the appetite.
But a subsequent effort to find a second goal before the break did little to dispel the nervous air around Camp Nou, especially with less than a dozen chances otherwise wasted by the visitors.
That gnawing restlessness manifested itself in a significantly rougher start to the second half, during which Celta gradually began to threaten more.
Such pressure seemed to hint when Jorgen Strand Larsen headed home with 20 minutes remaining, but an offside flag spared Barca the blushes and they held on all the way from there for a less-than-convincing result.
