Barca faces off against PSG, Pedri emphasizes the midfield battle

The Barcelona vs PSG encounter in the Champions League is expected to be intense, with Pedri stressing the importance of the midfield and highlighting the unique impact of both himself and Vitinha.

Barcelona and PSG are set to meet again in one of the Champions League’s most anticipated matches. These two clubs, with a history of fierce clashes, have produced thrilling encounters, and their reunion at Camp Nou is eagerly awaited as Barcelona seeks revenge while PSG aims to assert their status as reigning champions. In this context, midfielder Pedri has spoken up to underline the significance of the midfield battle, which is likely to determine the outcome of the game.

Pedri shared: "We are players who prefer to control the ball rather than chase it. Three players on each side will be crucial and can make a difference, tipping the balance to one side". Statistics from last season to now reveal the difference. After 39 matches, Pedri has completed 76 key passes and created 15 big chances. Meanwhile, PSG’s Vitinha has, in 31 games, produced 29 key passes and 4 big chances. This gap partly reflects Pedri’s superior creative role in Barcelona’s playstyle but also shows Vitinha’s vital importance in PSG’s possession-based philosophy.

The trio of Vitinha - Joao Neves - Fabian Ruiz is regarded as one of Europe’s most formidable midfield lines, despite all three recently returning from injury. Conversely, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo are currently in excellent form, serving as the foundation for Barcelona to control the game at home.

Even without Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marquinhos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG still boasts a host of stars and the disciplined style of coach Luis Enrique. The return of defender Achraf Hakimi also provides a significant boost to their defensive solidity.

Barcelona enters the big match with impressive form: unbeaten in their last 20 home games, with 15 wins, 4 draws, and only 1 loss. Lamine Yamal’s comeback from injury adds unpredictability to the attack, while young defender Pau Cubarsi is also likely to feature. However, the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia due to a knee injury leaves a gap that the Catalan side must quickly address.

In the past, Barcelona suffered two consecutive 1-4 defeats at Camp Nou against PSG, where Kylian Mbappe scored 5 goals. This reunion gives the Catalan team a chance for revenge, but to achieve this, they must gain control in midfield, where Pedri and Vitinha will be the focal points.

Will Barcelona leverage their home advantage and steady form to exact revenge on PSG, or will the Champions League champions continue to demonstrate their superior class?