Champions League
Xavi Hernandez Gears Up Barcelona For UEFA Champions League Against PSG
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is gearing up for a crucial showdown in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, a match he sees as a pivotal opportunity for his team. After a couple of disappointing exits in the group stage in recent years, Barca is back in the quarter-finals for the first time in four years, and the excitement within the club is palpable.
In a recent press conference leading to the quarter-final first leg, Xavi expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It is a key moment…We can dream again. We think we are at the best moment of the season, but we have one of the best teams in Europe in front of us, with one of the best coaches in Luis Enrique. It is a team built to win the Champions League.”
The team’s recent form, with eight wins in their last 11 matches & a solid defensive record of conceding just one goal in their last six games, has boosted their confidence. Sitting second in the La Liga table, they are eager to make their mark in Europe once more.
Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Xavi acknowledged the strength of their upcoming opponent, PSG, under the guidance of Luis Enrique. He praised Enrique as “one of the best coaches in the world, I have a great relationship with (Luis Enrique),” Xavi said. “He has a team built to win the Champions League. We’re facing a very difficult opponent and we’re both looking for a similar style.” highlighting the formidable team the former Barcelona manager has built at PSG.
Xavi also emphasized the shared footballing philosophy between the two coaches, rooted in the Barca DNA that both have inherited from their time at the Catalan club. “We can be proud of having the Barca DNA Luis Enrique, (Manchester City manager) Pep Guardiola, or (Arsenal boss) Mikel Arteta,” Xavi said.
In 2017, Barca made it through to the last-16 after an epic come-from-behind tie against PSG, winning 6-1 in the second leg at Camp Nou after losing the first leg 4-0 in Paris.
Xavi on being favorites, “It’s not a strategy, I think about it. I think they are favorites, they have taken Dembélé from us, & they have spent much more than us. They are a team made to win the Champions League, I know them well, they are from Qatar and it is their main objective. It’s not a strategy, if this frees up the players, fine, but I think about it.”
Xavi on surprises vs PSG, “I don’t know it’s football. It’s unpredictable, but we’re going to try to control the variants. Luis Enrique has a great range, he has a lot of possibilities and he works very well because I know him very well. It will be a one-on-one game.”
