Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his belief that the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain would be just as thrilling as the first leg.
After narrowly defeating PSG 3-2 in a captivating match in Paris, Barcelona is determined to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Xavi emphasized that his team would not sit back and defend their lead but rather aim to dominate possession and emerge victorious.
He acknowledged that PSG would pose a significant challenge and anticipated a game similar to the first leg, filled with intensity and excitement.
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Xavi also highlighted the importance of the atmosphere at Barcelona’s temporary Olympic Stadium, urging his players to exhibit great personality to advance to the next round.
On the other hand, PSG coach Luis Enrique, who was part of Barcelona’s Champions League-winning team in 2015, is expected to deploy a pressing strategy against the hosts.
Despite PSG never having come back to win after losing the first leg, Enrique remained confident in his players’ ability to turn the tie around and secure a spot in the semi-finals.
He acknowledged the difficulty of recovering mentally after a defeat but expressed optimism about the upcoming match, emphasizing that his team was well-prepared and in a great moment.