Match Reports

Joao Pedro on the spot again

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Brazilian striker converts second penalty in pre-season as Albion draw with Rayo Vallecano

By Bruce Talbot • 06 August 2023

By Bennett Dean
Joao Pedro equalises from the penalty spot.

Albion rounded off pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the Amex.

Roberto De Zerbi gave minutes to 21 players and there was the first chance for most of the 10,563 crowd to see Joao Pedro, Mahoud Dahoud, Igor Julio, Bart Verbruggen, James Milner and Simon Adringa in action.

Albion should have won comfortably after going behind but Joao Pedro levelled midway through the second half from the penalty spot.

By James Boardman
Joao Pedro shows great close control.

Pedro had started up front alongside Danny Welbeck and immediately looked a threat, teasing a cross to the far post which Welbeck headed against the post after 11 minutes. It wasn’t the first time Welbeck would be denied by the woodwork.

But a rare error by Jason Steele gifted Vallecano the lead two minutes later. The keeper sliced his clearance when a ball was played through giving Alvaro Rivera the simple job of side-footing into an empty net.

By James Boardman
Adam Webster wins a first-half header.

Although he started at right-back Pascal Gross – the only player who had 90 minutes - moved forward at every opportunity while Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March swapped wings to stretch the Spaniards, but Pedro was the main threat.

Vallecano keeper Stole Dimitrievski stretched to keep out his lob before the Brazilian’s first-time volley with his right foot dipped just over.

By James Boardman
Joao Pedro runs at the heart of the Vallecano defence.

Albion should have been level at the break with Mitoma going past three defenders and forcing Dimitrievski to push his low shot around the post.

De Zerbi made three changes at the break and three more just after the hour mark by which time Welbeck had been frustrated yet again. He turned his marker on the edge of the box and his shot beat Dimitrieivski but came back off the crossbar. Solly March had earlier been denied by the keeper after great link-up play down the left by Estupinan and Pedro.

The equaliser finally arrived on 65 minutes. Estupinan was brought down by Oscar Valentin in the box and Pedro confidently stroked home his second successful spot kick in pre-season.

By James Boardman
Danny Welbeck heads against the post during the first half.

Five more players came on and although Albion dominated the closing stages Julio Enciso’s shot straight at Dimitrievski was the closest they came to a winner.

Albion: Steele (Verbruggen 45), Gross, Webster (van Hecke 45), Dunk (Igor Julio 63), Estupinan (Milner 71), Gilmour (Veltman 45), Dahoud (Alzate 77), March (Adingra 63), Mitoma (Enciso 71), Welbeck (Lallana 63)), Joao Pedro (Ferguson 71).

Subs not used: McGill, Buonanotte.

Referee: Peter Bankes