FC Barcelona player Pedri and club's recent performance discussed

Former FC Barcelona technical secretary Ramón Planes has revealed the internal difficulties faced when signing Pedri for five million euros. Planes noted that many within the club did not understand the decision to spend such a significant amount on a 16-year-old who had not yet played a minute in the Segunda División, especially given the club's La Masia academy.

Separately, former footballer José María Gutiérrez, known as 'Guti', has warned that while Barcelona has enjoyed a successful run of victories, the team has yet to face top-tier opposition. He suggested that upcoming matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will serve as the true test of whether the squad, led by Hansi Flick, can compete at the highest level in the Champions League.