Xavi Hernández spoke to the media on Tuesday before the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against PSG and FC Barcelona at Parque de los Príncipes (9pm / Movistar Champions League). Here he settled any controversy Luis Enriquespotted the Parisian favorites and hinted that he would not risk the recent recoveries.
Here are some of his most interesting reflections:
1
Xavi settled the controversy
“I have a good relationship with Luis Enrique”
“I have seen him and he is Luis Enrique. I know him well, I have a good relationship with him. He has a team built to win the Champions League, we are facing a very tough rival and we are both looking for someone similar style. We can be proud of the DNA “Barça, Luis Enrique, Pep or Arteta are in the quarterfinals. Tomorrow we will look for the same, from here it is the job of footballers to find the DNA that defines us. “
2
PSG, favorite
“They signed Dembélé for us last summer”
“It’s not a strategy, I really think about it. I think they are favourites, they took Dembélé from us, they spent more than us. They are a team made to win the Champions League, I know them, they are from Qatar and this is their main goal. It’s not a strategy, if it frees the players, fine, but I think about it.”
3
Barça DNA reigns supreme in Europe
“I think it’s an advantage”
“Both Arteta, Pep and I grew up with this DNA. We are talking about a new batch of coaches who are midfielders and I think the philosophy of Barça is key. I think it is an advantage”
4
Doubts in the middle of the field
“We value more how they are physically”
“I think tomorrow little will change, we have visualized many individual duels. Maybe in this match we will appreciate more how the players are physical and tomorrow is a match to be 100%. We can hardly imagine , we will be. pressed for 90 minutes”
5
He assisted the Asturian as captain
“I remember my last year with pride”
“It was a difficult year at the beginning and then everything straightened out in an incredible way. And knowing that this is my last year, I hope that it ends well and that it ends like a movie, which with a triple and lifting the Champions League as captain. With Luis, an incredible relationship, I think “I helped him a lot as captain in difficult stages. I remember it with pride.”
6
His first quarters as a coach
“It’s a challenge”
“I think it’s a challenge, it’s a responsibility and I see the Barcelona fans with great enthusiasm. We’ve probably arrived at the best moment of the season and the players are very motivated. We have a great team in in front of us, it is a challenge, for me as a coach and for “The football players, who should promote it”
7
Frenkie and Pedri were there
“Except for a last minute surprise”
“It is positive that everyone who has traveled is available tomorrow. I imagine that 100% of those who have traveled will be available, except for last minute surprises because now we are training”
8
It’s not about him, it’s about Barça
“It’s about thinking about the collective”
“I face it with motivation and as a great challenge, but not as something personal. I’m looking for the club, for the footballers. I want Barça to be in the semi-final, not for Xavi to be there. It’s about thinking about the team, it’s not about the ego issue
9
Main section in the project
“They appreciate us a lot for the result”
“Yes, of course, these are results. They will value us a lot for the result. The important part is coming, we are facing 2-3 very decisive weeks. Yes”
10
no risk
“Tomorrow we will talk to the players”
“Not above all look at the physical sensations and then we will decide. We will talk tomorrow and above all we will look at the fitness levels of the players. For me it is something very key to making the lineup”
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
