Pedri addresses pairing concerns after Barcelona victory against Valencia

Barcelona midfielder Pedri publicly dismissed speculation regarding his tactical compatibility with teammate Rodri following the club's 5-0 win over Valencia on Sunday. Rodri made his first start for Barcelona in the match, anchoring the midfield alongside Pedri. The pair played the full 90 minutes as Barcelona secured the victory. Pedri scored his first goal of the season during the match, helping to silence critics who suggested their playing styles did not complement one another. The conversation surrounding their partnership emerged after Pedri lost his starting role to Rodri during this summer's World Cup. Addressing the media, Pedri noted that playing with Rodri is comfortable, citing his teammate's defensive contributions and reliability in possession as key factors. He expressed confidence that their understanding will grow as they accumulate more time on the pitch together.

• 8:45 PMYahoo Sports — Barcelona star responds to claims that he does not gel with Rodri