Pedri has expressed confidence in Barcelona’s chances of beating Paris Saint-Germain ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash at the Parc des Princes, with top spot in the standings at stake. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Barcelona midfielder described the encounter as a high-level contest between two teams whose midfield battles could prove decisive.
“I imagine it will be a great battle. Both midfields struggle when they don’t have the ball, so whoever has more possession will be able to tilt the game in their favour. We’re in a positive run of form and want to keep it going,” Pedri said.
Despite the significance of the fixture, the Spain international stopped short of describing it as an early final, stressing that there is still a long way to go in the competition.
“We see it as a very difficult match that we want to win, but not as a final just yet, because there is still a long way to go. It’s a good opportunity to see where we stand in Europe,” he explained.
Pedri also highlighted the importance of maintaining Barcelona’s winning mentality, regardless of the opposition. PSG are the reigning European champions, but he insisted that the Catalan side would approach the game with the intention of securing all three points.
“At Barcelona, the demand is to win every match. You always have to perform at your best. Even against PSG, who are the current champions, we have to go there and win,” he said.
The midfielder acknowledged the quality of Luis Enrique’s side, particularly their attacking options and their ability to control possession in midfield, warning that Barcelona would need a strong performance to come away with a victory.
“They have a lot of strengths. Their forwards are outstanding, and in midfield they have players who like to keep the ball. I’m not going to tell you anything new, but tomorrow we’ll have to play a very good game to win,” Pedri added.
One of the individual matchups attracting attention is the midfield battle between Pedri and PSG’s Vitinha. The Barcelona player had high praise for the Portuguese international, describing him as one of the most influential midfielders in the game.
“He’s a very special player, one of the best, if not the best. He brings so much to PSG, and you can really see his impact when they have the ball,” Pedri said.
Pedri also discussed his partnership with Rodri, explaining how playing alongside the Spain international can help Barcelona maintain control in midfield while allowing him greater freedom to move forward. He praised Rodri’s influence on the squad but stressed that Barcelona have quality options throughout the team.
“He gives us a lot when it comes to controlling the midfield and allows me a little more freedom to get forward. He’s a difference-maker who has raised the level of the squad, but whoever plays has been doing very well,” he said.
Asked about the differences between Barcelona’s approach under their coach and the style associated with Rodri’s previous team, Pedri pointed to a more direct approach at the Catalan club.
“The two coaches have different ideas. Here, the approach is more direct,” he explained.
The 22-year-old also spoke about Lamine Yamal, backing the young winger to continue developing without feeling the pressure to follow in anyone else’s footsteps. Pedri stressed that the team has a responsibility to help Yamal remain comfortable and focused as he continues to influence matches.
“I’ve always seen him eager to go out, play and enjoy himself. You can tell when he gets the ball. He makes a huge difference, and he doesn’t need to look at anyone else. He has to follow his own path, stay calm and build his own career. Right now, he’s the best player in the world. We have to help him stay relaxed,” Pedri said.
Pedri was also asked about Barcelona’s former forward Ousmane Dembélé, who has impressed since moving to PSG. The midfielder said Dembélé’s exceptional ability had been evident even during training sessions at Barcelona, although his performances in Catalonia had sometimes lacked consistency.
“He always impressed me. What he did in training was beyond what you would expect from a normal player. He was a real difference-maker, and he reached another level here. We saw the real Ousmane, although he was more inconsistent at Barcelona,” he said.
On Ferran Torres, who could feature for PSG against his former Barcelona teammate, Pedri made clear that his personal support would take a back seat for the occasion.
“I hope he doesn’t have any luck tomorrow and doesn’t score if he plays. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season. I already called him when we got the draw. Tomorrow, I hope he has no luck and we get the win,” Pedri said.
The Barcelona midfielder also welcomed Gordon, expressing confidence that the player would make a valuable contribution both on and off the pitch.
“I get along very well with him, and I’ve been surprised by his quality. He’s going to bring us a lot, both on and off the field,” he added.
Pedri was further asked about being managed carefully by Hansi Flick, suggesting that the approach reflects the demands of a long season and the depth of Barcelona’s squad. He emphasised the importance of being physically ready when the major trophies are decided.
“These are the coach’s decisions, and he manages things that way. The season is very long, and it says a lot about the strength of our squad. We have to make sure we’re in good shape towards the end of the season, when the trophies are decided,” he said.
Reflecting on Barcelona’s previous meeting with PSG in Paris and his own development within the club, Pedri said his experience had helped him support younger arrivals as they adapt to life at Barcelona.
“I’ve been at the club for several years now, so I know how things work from the inside. I try to help the new players adapt, and on the pitch I do my best to help the team,” he said.
Asked whether he would rather face PSG or play in El Clásico, Barcelona’s rivalry match against Real Madrid, Pedri refused to choose between the two high-profile fixtures, insisting that his immediate focus was on the European clash.
“I’d rather play both. Right now, we’re thinking about tomorrow’s match because it’s the most important one, and we want to beat Paris,” he said.
With Barcelona aiming to secure a statement result against the reigning European champions, Pedri’s comments underlined the team’s confidence while acknowledging the scale of the challenge. For the midfielder, the key will be controlling possession, matching PSG’s quality in midfield and delivering the level of performance required to win one of the most demanding fixtures of the Champions League league phase.