‘There is no reason for incompatibility' — Benito on Rodri and Pedri

Former Real Madrid player and Spanish football analyst Alvaro Benito has explained why Rodri and Pedri can successfully play together in Barcelona 's midfield. Speaking on El Sanedrín on El Larguero , Benito insisted there is no reason to believe the two Spain internationals are incompatible, pointing to their different roles and positions on the pitch. 'There is no reason for incompatibility,' Benito said. 'They don't occupy the same spaces, and they are not the same type of players.' Benito also highlighted a pattern he noticed when Rodri and Pedri recently shared the pitch, including during Barcelona's 5-0 victory over Valencia. 'When Rodri was on the pitch, Pedri didn't drop into midfield as much, thinking that Rodri, with his tactical intelligence and his support for the centre-backs, was enough for the team to progress,' Benito explained. The analyst pointed to Rodri's substitution as further evidence of the difference between their roles. Once the Spain captain left the field, Pedri dropped deeper to help Barcelona circulate possession and build their attacks. Benito's analysis therefore challenges Manu Carreño's suggestion that 'Pedri is probably the happiest person of all those playing under Rodri', with the former Madrid player arguing that the pair's contrasting characteristics could actually complement each other. The possibility of Rodri joining Barcelona has generated significant discussion, particularly over how he could fit alongside Pedri in Hansi Flick's midfield. Benito believes their different qualities could allow both players to operate effectively in the same team. Get all the latest La Liga & Spain news in our brand new app