The upcoming match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will be of huge importance to both teams. The Blaugranes dream of going to the semi-finals, while the Parisians aspire to win their first-ever UCL. Thus, ahead of the game itself, both Barcelona and PSG are excited for a grand clash.
Ahead of the game, many players and coaches are expected to give their thoughts. While Xavi Hernandez had his say, even talking about the likes of Ousmane Dembele, a certain star player was also there to talk about various topics, both individual and collective, ahead of Barcelona vs PSG.
As highlighted by SPORT, Pedri spoke with the press about the PSG game, his own contract, some of his most impressive partners in the squad, as well as the progression of his injured teammates.
Asked if this PSG clash was one of the most important of his career so far, the Barcelona Golden Boy was in agreement: “Yes, it’s the most important match I’ve had so far, along with the Euro semifinals.”
He was also asked if Barcelona could be considered favorites now with a one-goal lead in their hands, to which the Canary Islander stated that the game was still evenly matched between two strong sides:
“Everyone likes to talk about favoritism. These are two evenly matched teams, seeking to play in a similar manner. It will be an attractive match for the spectators.”
A great trend in recent weeks has been the evolution of Barcelona ever since Xavi’s announcement about his departure, and Pedri agrees that it has had an impact on the team somehow:
“Regarding Xavi’s announcement, it must have influenced something. We’ve been on a very long streak. We’ve improved in keeping clean sheets and being more solid at the back.”
Speaking about his renewal at Barcelona, Pedri seems to be quite calm and has faith in his continuity:
“I’m very calm and happy to be in the team of my dreams. I know Barcelona will stick to what we’ve discussed.”
Another key topic that was discussed with the Barcelona star was that of his injuries. Having seen himself be repeatedly injured from time to time in recent seasons, there are still some who fear the worst with him. For the player himself, however, there is no fear when he plays:
“I’m fortunate that when I step onto the field, I don’t think about injuries. The pass the other day was similar to the action where I got injured in San Mamés. The desire and excitement outweigh everything else. I haven’t worked on it because I haven’t felt the need, although I don’t rule it out for the future.”
Pau Cubarsi, one of his teammates, is among the fastest-growing names in all of Europe. A defender who oozes class and quality, his presence in this Barcelona team is appreciated by Pedri as well:
“He’s a player I love, especially for a midfielder, who filters so many balls between the lines. I hadn’t seen a center-back like him at 17 years old; it’s difficult to win a duel against him. He’s a great person, and I laugh a lot with him.”
Barcelona is expected to come into this upcoming game against PSG with an almost entirely healthy squad. However, apart from suspensions, two key stars who will miss the game due to long-term injuries are Alejandro Balde and Gavi. For Pedri, seeing them like this is far from a pleasant sight:
“I have a very good relationship with them; it hurts my soul to see them sidelined. They are very eager to play; whenever they see us in training, they always want to join in.”
Lastly, Pedri was asked about his recollections of the legendary 6-1 comeback that Barcelona made against PSG back in 2017. For him, that match is an eternal memory and something he has also discussed with Sergi Roberto, who was the final goalscorer of that legendary comeback:
“I’ve been a big Barça fan since I was little. It’s a match that stays etched in my mind; I watched it at my father’s club, and I couldn’t believe it. Now I have Sergi as a teammate, and we’ve talked about how he experienced it.”
With Barcelona going into this game with a one-goal advantage, Pedri cannot look ahead to repeat the historical remontada against PSG tomorrow night. However, he will still be looking to play his part as the team looks to advance to the UEFA Champions League semi-final after a break of four years.
