Barcelona’s Xavi expects another thriller matchup vs PSG
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he expects another thriller matchup in their Champions League quarter-final second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Xavi expects thriller matchup
The defending LaLiga champions prevailed over Luis Enrique’s PSG side, 3-2, at Parc des Princes.
Xavi said their second encounter with PSG will likely yield similar intensity to their first leg.
Barcelona hope to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2019.
“We’re not a team that will sit on our lead. We want to take the ball off PSG and win the game,” Xavi said in an news conference.
“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.”
War in Olympic Stadium
Enrique, who led Blaugrana to a Champions League title in 2015, agreed that the second leg wouldn’t be much different.
“I think this game will be similar. I think there will be goals. The 3-2 scoreline means we have to go for the game,” he said.
Nonetheless, Xavi knows that Enrique and PSG will prepare for a war heading into the Olympic Stadium in Spain.
“Montjuic’s (atmosphere) has to seem like the big nights at Camp Nou,” continued Xavi.
“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.”
“It’s a huge opportunity for the club against one of the best teams and coaches in the world. We will need the [Olympic Stadium] to be a cauldron like Camp Nou was on big nights.”
