Xavi Responds to Luis Enrique
The Barcelona coach responded to the PSG coach after his strong words in the press conference.
The Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez, stated that Paris Saint-Germain is the favorite in the Champions League quarter-final tie because they have a team built to win the competition, while Barcelona is "under construction."
"I think they are the favorites, but I'm not saying this as a strategy. It's a reality. They took Dembele from us this summer, they have spent a lot of money in recent years, and their goal is to win the Champions League. Ours is different; I've been saying that we are a team under construction," the coach asserted.
In this regard, he contradicted rival coach Luis Enrique, who had claimed that Barcelona was the favorite because they had won the Champions League five times, compared to PSG's none. "But I lifted the last one," said the former Barcelona captain, who retired in 2015 after lifting the European trophy with Luis Enrique on the bench.
Nevertheless, Xavi stated that they face the match "with enthusiasm," after four years without reaching the quarter-finals and "at the best moment of the season."
The coach praised Luis Enrique as "one of the best coaches in the world" and avoided the debate over who better represents the spirit of Barcelona, after PSG's coach claimed it was him.
"There is no controversy; we have a good personal relationship. Both of us are seeking the same thing," said Xavi, who noted that four of the eight coaches in the quarter-finals were trained at La Masia, including Pep Guardiola (City) and Mikel Arteta (Arsenal).
"It's a pride," said the Catalan coach, who considered it an advantage that they were all midfielders because they have a global vision of football and that "having the Barça philosophy is an advantage."
Although he pointed out that he approaches the match as a collective effort, he acknowledged that personally, it is "a motivation, a responsibility, a tremendous challenge."
"I have seen the Barça fans with a lot of enthusiasm; there is a desire to see the team. We are in the best moment, competing well, with motivated players. That gives me confidence. But we face one of the best teams in Europe, built to win the Champions League, with one of the best coaches in the world. This is the challenge for me as a coach and for the players, who are the protagonists of this," he said.
Without giving clues about his approach to stop the opposing star, Kylian Mbappé, he stated that he is not in favor of man-marking but warned that "we will have to be very attentive defensively" because "PSG is one of the best in the world in transitions."
He assured that Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, who are in the squad list, "will be available," despite just recovering from injuries.
He emphasized the importance of dominating the midfield against a Luis Enrique team, which "is one of the most intense."
"I know this because I've been trained by him; the intensity he demands is maximum. We'll have to handle the high pressure well. I think we've prepared well, but in football, there are many variables," he said.
