MY ACCOUNT
Pedri described playing with Robert Lewandowski as a “luxury” after both players starred in Barcelona’s 6-0 demolition of Pumas UNAM in the Joan Gamper trophy on Sunday.
The Blaugrana ran riot in their traditional Camp Nou curtain-raiser, with goals from Pedri (two), Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong condemning the Mexican side to a crushing loss.
Barca took just 20 minutes to establish a 4-0 lead as Pedri scored twice after laying on new signing Lewandowski’s opener, with the Poland striker returning the favour to tee up the skilful midfielder’s second strike.
Lewandowski – who scored 50 goals in all competitions during his final season with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich last term – was named as man of the match, leading Pedri to shower him with praise.
“It was important for us to win in front of our fans and we have achieved it by playing a good game,” the midfielder said.
“The coach asks us all to reach the top and that we score goals, and I hope it continues like this. We’ve had a good pre-season and we wanted to start scoring soon.
“It is a luxury to play with Lewandowski, I really enjoy seeing how he finishes and how he links up.
“The president [Joan Laporta] and everyone have done a great job, and we will fight until May for it to be a very beautiful year for us all.”
With Lewandowski joining Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Raphinha in moving to Camp Nou ahead of the 2022-23 season, hopes are high that Barca can challenge for silverware – even if speculation persists that they may be unable to register their newcomers.
For Xavi, the performance against Pumas – for whom Barca legend Dani Alves featured – represented the standard the Catalan giants must hit in every match.
“Everything went well tonight, I’m very happy with the good game and for the fans, who have been excited. This is the way,” Xavi declared.
“We are in a good dynamic of play and results, but we have to continue working for this to work. The sensations are good, yes, but there is no need to lower the pace or the intensity during the 90 minutes.
“Today it is understood that we relaxed a bit because we were 4-0 very early and it was a friendly, but in official competition you cannot lower your guard.”
Barca begin their LaLiga campaign at home to Rayo Vallecano next Saturday.
