Speaking in an interview with MARCA, Barcelona midfield prodigy Pedri has opened up on the club’s prospects in the UEFA Champions League ahead of their key clash against Bayern Munich. The 19-year-old also discussed the criticism that manager Xavi and the club captains have had to face recently.
Here are key points from the interview with the midfield prodigy.
On what they need to do against Bayern Munich: “Response. We did not expect what happened to us in the Champions League. But it has happened like this and it’s a shame. We can’t do anything now, although we have a little hope for the result of Viktoria Plzen and Inter Milan. We have to wait to see what happens. But we are aware that it is really complicated.”
On Barcelona needing a miracle to survive in the Champions League: “As long as it can be done, we have to believe. We know that it is very, very difficult for that to happen and that we would need a lot of luck. But we have to be prepared.”
On Barça’s failure in big games vs Bayern, Inter and Real Madrid: “I think that in the game against Bayern, despite the result, we had a good game, but the ball did not go in. And in the others, we have not been at ease or dominated as we like. It’s been a bad run and we have to improve so that in the next important games we win.”
On whether they got carried away after a bright start: “No, I think not. I think that being Barça and playing the way we were playing, it’s normal that expectations were high. Being a club like Barcelona, you have to choose to win everything and go for all the games and rivals.
“And that is what we wanted to do. But it didn’t happen. Now we have to continue in La Liga, there is still a lot of competition left.”
On the criticism received by Xavi: “Whenever there are bad results, almost everyone is criticised. I think it’s difficult to be the Barcelona manager, but I think Xavi is doing a very good job.
“He has helped us young people a lot, he knows what it is to be a footballer because he has lived it. It is very nice to see how he helps us. He gives us advice. Hopefully, he can be with us and win big things and titles.”
On whether Xavi is the coach to get the best out of him: I think everyone has helped me a lot. Pepe Mel gave me my debut in Las Palmas, Koeman in Barcelona, and Luis Enrique in the national team… And Xavi is also giving me a lot of confidence and is teaching me a lot. Everyone has really helped me.”
On the criticism faced by Barcelona captains: “Criticism comes from outside when there are bad results, and those who have been here the longest are criticised. But I believe that when we fail, the whole team does it, not just the captains.
“In addition to experience and advice, they give us a lot and when they play they do it like all of us: the best they can. They help us a lot.”
On his connection with Robert Lewandowski: “With good players, it is easy to understand each other on the field. The truth is that Robert, from day one, has been magnificent with me. Despite not knowing the language, he has integrated very quickly.
“He helps us a lot, he gives us advice. He helps me and Gavi, who are participating more, and tells us to drive into space, to be there, that he will arrive, that he will take the central defenders for us to score… To have a player like him helps us a lot.”
On the overdependence on Lewandowksi for goals: “Apart from whether or not he defines well in a play, what we have to do is deliver the balls to him well. If you don’t pass it to him, it’s impossible for him to score. In that sense, it’s more on us than him, if he doesn’t score goals.”
On whether playing as a false-winger suits him better: “Upfront you touch the ball less because there are more opponents around you. But there you have more opportunities to score goals and help the team with goals or assists. It is what the coach asks me now and I am happy to do it because it is a task that I also like.”
On whether Barcelona can win La Liga: “Despite the defeats in the Champions League and in the Clasico I think that Barcelona should think about winning the league. There is a lot of competition.
“I’ve already lifted the Copa del Rey, it’s a nice memory, and it would be nice to win it again. You have to try to win all the titles. I am sure that this season if we keep up the good performance, success will come. We have to work.”
On if Barcelona can snatch the title from Real Madrid’s grasp: “Yes, we can. We beat them last year and we came from a bad dynamic. Now we have a better squad, good signings have been made, and we can beat them, I’m sure.”
On the FIFA World Cup: “I think that my dreams will not be fulfilled until I win one of those trophies… Hopefully, we will do well in Qatar, and hopefully, I will have the opportunity to go, and then why not try to win that World Cup?”
On if he sees Spain as favourites: “I think that, after the European Championship, we are a very strong team and there is a good group. But everyone says that Brazil and Argentina are favourites, and I prefer to go as the underdog.
“In the European Championship, we did not go as favourites, and we played great. I prefer to go like this.”