Barcelona midfielder Pedri has said the Spanish side are the best team in the world after they recovered from being behind with 29 minutes remaining at Paris St-Germain to take a 3-2 advantage into their home leg of the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals.
A minute after coming on, Spain prodigy Pedri set up Raphinha’s second goal to draw Barca level before Andreas Christensen headed the winner on the defender’s 28th birthday.
“I came on absolutely buzzing with hunger to help the team and that pass to Raphinha for the goal just came off nicely,” said Pedri.
“Rapha’s finish was sent down from the angels… we came here to compete hard and tonight we proved we’re one of the best teams in the world.
“I think we’re the best, actually. We came to win but there’s a tough second leg left now.”
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Raphinha had given the visitors a 37th-minute lead before former Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele scored the first of two goals in three minutes for PSG three minutes after the break, with Vitinha putting them ahead.
Pedri’s youthfulness paled compared to team-mate Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest ever player to start a last-eight match in the competition at 16 years and 272 days.
Centre-back Pau Cubarsi, who is 17 years and 79 days old, became the second youngest in that respect.
Raphinha scores again for Barcelona 🤩
How about that assist from Pedri 🥶#UCL
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/tcfGK6g1CN
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2024
PSG v Barcelona: Xavi ‘proud’
“Xavi simply told me to come on mentally prepared and ready to contribute,” Pedri said of his manager. “He wanted us to push Paris and squeeze them high up the pitch.”
Barcelona are away to Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday and host the second leg against PSG on Tuesday.
“I’m extremely proud of my team,” said Xavi. “If you don’t feel proud now, then when?
“PSG probably still remain favourites to go through. They are a terrific side and we’ve managed to reduce their impact – we aimed to send them wide and we managed that. Particularly in the first half, we pressed really well; nice and high.”
