Pedri talks Scholes, Vitinha, Luis Enrique, midfield battle, revenge, Ballon d’Or, ahead of Barcelona vs PSG | OneFootball

The upcoming UEFA Champions League clash between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will be a massive one. Widely seen as two of the best teams in the world right now, this game will be about much more than just the three points at stake.

Ahead of the game itself, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona midfield star Pedri joined Hansi Flick for the pre-match press conference. Starting things off, the Spaniard made sure to compliment PSG while highlighting the overall quality of both teams:

“I think it’s one of the best matches you can play at club level. PSG is one of the best teams in the world, and I consider us the best. It will be a great match.”

He also addressed the recent praise he received from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who compared him to Xavi and Andres Iniesta:

“It’s nice, I take it as motivation. I know it’s difficult to reach the level of Xavi and Iniesta, but it’s a compliment.”

As for the midfield battle against PSG, Pedri was clear that it would be a tough challenge to overcome:

“It’s a match where both teams will want to have the ball. We are a brave team, and I think we’ll manage to do it.”

Moreover, he was also asked about the last time these two sides met and how Barça ended up losing that time. For that reason, for both Pedri and everyone else linked to the club, this is an opportunity to get some kind of revenge:

“Everyone who is a Barça fan wants to get that revenge. The following year, you can achieve what you missed out on, and we all want to play in these matches.”

The Spaniard also addressed the physical demands of the season and the shortened breaks between games:

“The club’s physical preparation changed radically. It’s fun to play every three days, but it’s true that sometimes you do feel your legs a bit heavier.”

As for PSG’s offensive style of play, Pedri admitted that it is the kind of team that he likes to play against as well:

“I prefer to play against a team like PSG because they also want to take the initiative and not just sit back, since it’s harder to create chances against those who do.”

Pedri was also asked about his 11th-placed Ballon d’Or ranking, something that did not sit well with fans nor neutrals, but he gave a composed response:

“I feel valued at my club and with the national team, which is what matters. I also feel responsibilities on the pitch and the support of the fans.”

The Barcelona star was also presented with the topic of Vitinha, his direct counterpart on PSG, and how that battle will pan out:

“We’re players who like to have the ball, not chase after it. In the end, the three players who play for each team will be very important and can tip the balance for either side.”

As for whether or not he feels like a leader in this team, Pedri had a great response for that as well:

“The coach makes me feel that way. He wants me to take a step forward, not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room. It’s been hard because I came here as a kid, but I’m starting to feel more important and I’m taking on that role.”

Lastly, he also shared what Luis Enrique used to tell him in the Spanish National team and how it impacted his game:

“The same thing, to enjoy myself and make my presence felt. The more balls I touched, the better it was for the team, and those are things that stay with you.”

Heading into this crucial fixture, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Pedri will play an important role. After all, the young Spaniard is a crucial component within this Barcelona system, and he enables it to function as effectively as it does.