Pedri jokes Ferran Torres should not score for PSG against Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has jokingly told close friend and Spain team-mate Ferran Torres not to score when the Catalan club visit Paris Saint-Germain in a major Champions League meeting at Parc des Princes tonight.

Pedri and Torres regularly spend time together while on international duty and have developed a close relationship. But the Barcelona midfielder made clear that their friendship would be put aside during the contest against Luis Enrique’s side.

“I hope he doesn’t have any luck in this match, that he doesn’t score. I wish him luck for the rest of the season,” Pedri said.

“I have a very good relationship with him and we talk a lot when we’re with the national team.”

Barcelona face a difficult test against PSG, with both teams possessing considerable technical quality and attacking threat.

Pedri also reflected on his former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele, who is now an important part of PSG’s attack. The midfielder said the France forward had shown outstanding ability during training at Barcelona, although his performances in matches were previously less consistent.

“In training, I saw him do incredible things; he did well, but he was more inconsistent than now that he’s exploded onto the scene and is a world-class player,” Pedri said.

Dembele’s progress has added another significant threat for Barcelona to manage as they prepare to face a PSG team capable of creating danger in the final third.

Pedri acknowledged the quality of the French club’s attack and praised their control of matches through midfield. He also pointed to PSG’s recent record in Europe’s premier club competition.

“They have many qualities up front, they are game-changers and they know how to control the game in midfield,” he said.

“I’m not going to reinvent the wheel, they have won the last two Champions League.”

The meeting brings together two sides with the attacking talent to influence a high-level European match, while Pedri’s comments underline the personal connections on both sides of the fixture. His playful warning to Torres contrasts with the seriousness of the challenge facing Barcelona against Luis Enrique’s PSG.