The Barcelona midfielder spoke ahead of Tuesday’s clash in Paris, describing a contest between two sides who want to control possession and use their technical quality to dictate the game.
“I imagine it will be a great battle. Whoever has the ball tomorrow will decide the match. Hopefully it will be us. We’re in good form and confident that we can do it,” Pedri said.
Barcelona are not treating the fixture as a final, but the Spain international recognises the opportunity to measure their progress against the reigning European champions.
“We see it as a very difficult match against a complicated opponent. We’re not treating it as a final. It’s a game we want to win. They’re a very good opponent to see where we are.”
Pedri expects the midfield contest to be especially important and praised the influence of Rodri, whose ability to control possession and protect the centre of the pitch gives him greater freedom to move forward.
“He gives us a lot when it comes to controlling the midfield. He’s a player who controls a lot. He gives me a lot of freedom. He’ll lose very few balls. We’ve raised the level of the squad,” Pedri explained.
He also welcomed the challenge of facing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, whom he regards as one of the best players in his position.
“He’s a player who makes a real difference. He’s one of the best, if not the best, at creating play. He brings a lot to PSG with the ball. I like playing against players like that. The great thing is facing the best and trying to beat them.”
The game also brings Pedri up against former Barcelona team-mates Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembélé. Torres has moved to Paris, while Dembélé has flourished in France since leaving the Catalan club.
Pedri joked that he hoped Torres would not enjoy a successful evening, while making clear their friendship remained intact.
“I hope he doesn’t have much luck tomorrow and, if he gets the chance to play, that he doesn’t score. I have a very good relationship with him, even though we’re no longer at the same club.”
His comments about Dembélé were particularly warm, with Pedri recalling the Frenchman’s extraordinary ability in training and praising the consistency he has found in Paris.
“He’s a player who has always impressed me a lot. I saw him in training and what he did was beyond what a normal player could do. When he arrived here, he exploded. At Barcelona we saw it, but perhaps more irregularly, and here he won a Ballon d’Or. He’s a great friend.”
Pedri also backed Lamine Yamal to continue developing on his own terms rather than becoming distracted by comparisons with Lionel Messi.
“He always wants to stand out, to play and enjoy himself. When the ball reaches him, he takes players on, scores and assists. He doesn’t need to look at anyone else. If he looks at Leo, it’s difficult to compare yourself with the best in history. He has to make his own career and, today, he’s the best in the world.”
Barcelona’s ambition, Pedri stressed, is to compete for trophies while maintaining their standards throughout a long season. The PSG encounter is a major test, but not the final destination.
“Starting well is important, but titles are decided at the end of the season.”