Barcelona’s coach, Xavi Hernandez, stated on Monday that the second leg of their team’s Champions League quarterfinal matchup with Paris Saint-Germain will resemble the thrilling first leg.
In a thrilling Paris match last week, the five-time champions defeated Luis Enrique’s PSG team 3-2. They hope to make it to the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Xavi predicted that the second leg would feature more of the same spectacle at Barcelona’s makeshift Olympic Stadium, located atop the Montjuic hill in the city.
At a press conference, Xavi stated, “We’re not a team that will sit on our lead; we want to take the ball off PSG and win the game.”
“I hope we are at our best, they will test us to the limit — I see a game very similar to the first leg.
“It’s the Champions League, it’s Paris and a game in which no one will be holding back.”
Xavi stated that Luis Enrique, the coach of PSG and a bench warmer for Barcelona during the Catalans’ 2015 Champions League victory, would deploy his team to harass the hosts.
“Montjuic’s (atmosphere) has to seem like the big nights at Camp Nou,” continued Xavi.
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“Luis Enrique will not hold back, he will come here to press — we have to show a lot of personality to reach the semi-finals.”
After declaring in January that he would be leaving at the end of the season, Xavi has led a resurgent Barcelona to a 12-game winning streak.
“Me and my players, everyone has been liberated (by my decision),” said the coach.
“Everyone has felt more of a sense of belonging towards the club, and I think it has gone phenomenally.”
Barcelona midfielder Pedri agreed that his team would have to play to win, and not try only to hold on to their one-goal headstart.
“We have this slender lead but we have to go out there as if we didn’t have that advantage,” said Pedri.
After recovering from an injury, the Canary Islander skillfully assisted Raphinha in scoring in Paris.
Due to a number of injury issues, the Spain international has struggled to stay healthy over the last two seasons.
“When you’re back from injury you feel the tiredness, but I’m strong and have a lot of desire,” continued Pedri.
“I’ve always said I prefer to play 80 minutes at 100 per cent and when I can’t go on, ask to be subbed for someone else.”
AFP
