Champions League : Xavi Hernandez’s concerns about the return match against PSG
Despite the victory at the Parc des Princes in the first leg, Xavi Hernandez is worried about the return match even though it’s being played at home, at Montjuïc. Today , FC Barcelona hosts Paris Saint-Germain at the Montjuïc Stadium for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. In a press conference on Monday, the eve of the match, Xavi expressed concern for his suspended players.
While 11 players were at risk of suspension in the first leg played and won at the Parc des Princes (2-3), two players are suspended for this return clash due to yellow cards received last Wednesday. Indeed, Andreas Christensen and Sergi Roberto, both cautioned at the Parc des Princes, will miss this return match. Xavi expressed his anxiety in the press conference.
« The losses of Christensen and Sergi will be noticed, it’s detrimental to us. Because there are moments in the match where we need one thing or another. Suspensions hurt us. The key for tomorrow will be to behave as a team. We need to give our best and show solidarity to reach the semi-finals. If we are a team, we will have the means to reach the semi-finals», said the Barcelona coach.
Although he defeated Paris in the first leg, Xavi Hernandez has a game plan for this return match to leave no chance for the Parisian club to express themselves. However, the Catalan coach praises Luis Enrique.
« We want to have possession, attack, and win the match. We will have to do things very well because it’s a team that will press us a lot. I see a similar match to the first leg, and it will be a football battle », he added, before continuing.
Asked to choose between Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, Xavi did not want to choose. « With Luis Aragonés, those are the three coaches who have impacted me the most. Now that I think of them as coaches, they are the ones I remember the most. When I think about what I have to do, I remember those three. They marked me, and that’s my reality », continued Xavi.
« I love them both near the surface. I imagine them with the ball at their feet, creating danger or making the final pass. That’s their great quality, they are very similar players. They can slow down the game or speed up our play. It will be a tough match for the midfielders. We will face one of the most intense teams. If Gündogan and Pedri have space and time, we will have a lot to play », said the Spanish coach.
