Pedri. “It will be one of the best matches you can play”
On the eve of FC Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain, Hansi Flick and Pedri appeared before the media to share their thoughts on one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures. Both spoke about leadership, injuries, revenge, and the challenges of facing Luis Enrique’s side.
Flick on Confidence, Injuries, and Controlling Emotions
Head coach Hansi Flick highlighted the complexity of the match, stressing that “this is the Champions League, and from the first second we have to play at our maximum level.” The German dismissed any focus on the past between Barça and PSG, underlining that “everything has changed—PSG, the players, Barça. We don’t look at the past.”
On individual players, Flick praised Marcus Rashford’s adaptation—“the last matches gave him confidence”—while reaffirming Wojciech Szczęsny’s readiness: “He is a player with whom we won three titles last season. He is prepared.” He also emphasized the importance of both Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski in the striker role, without revealing who will start.
Addressing questions on Ronald Araújo and PSG potentially targeting him, Flick was clear: “Araujo is an incredible player, and he has shown it in the recent matches. I am very happy with him.” On the much-discussed return of 18-year-old talent Lamine Yamal, Flick was cautious: “Over-praising a player so much is not good. He has talent and can reach very high levels, but he has to work, also defensively.”
With both sides hit by injuries, Flick accepted the challenge: “It is part of our job. We have to know how to manage the injuries. This is the situation.”
Pedri: Leadership and the Desire for Revenge
Midfielder Pedri, now one of Barça’s captains, admitted that leadership has been a gradual process: “It has been hard for me because I came as a kid, but I am feeling more important and taking on that role.” He revealed that Flick pushes him to step forward “not just on the field but also in the locker room.”
On the personal front, Pedri brushed aside his Ballon d’Or ranking, insisting he feels valued both at Barcelona and with Spain. He welcomed Paul Scholes’ recent praise—“It’s nice; I take it as motivation”—but acknowledged the difficulty of reaching the level of legends like Xavi and Iniesta.
Speaking about the match itself, Pedri expects a battle for midfield dominance: “It’s a match where both teams will want to have the ball. We are a brave team, and I think we will manage to do it.” He admitted that Barça fans, himself included, see the match as a chance to “get that revenge” after past disappointments against PSG.
He also praised PSG’s proactive style: “I prefer to play against a team like PSG because they also want to have the initiative and not sit back. It will be a great match.”
With both coach and captain pointing to the emotional weight and technical demands of the clash, Barcelona enter the tie with a mix of determination and respect for their opponents. Pedri summed up the mood: “I think it’s one of the best matches you can play at the club level. Paris is one of the best in the world, and I consider us the best.”
