Four years later, Manchester United returns to the Camp Nou, a stage in which they have never managed to beat Barcelona. To his credit there are three defeats and two draws. This time, under the curtain of the Europa League, Xavi's renewed Barça wants to win a game that, due to the entity of both teams and the high level that both have shown after the World Cup in Qatar, could perfectly fit into the Champions League. “Both teams arrived at the best moment of the season. Ten Hag has changed the face of the team. He has struggled, but he is doing a great job. They have many things and they can complicate us. I expect a game with a lot of intensity and rhythm. It's Europe and we want to show that we can compete against a top-level European rival but we can't say it's a Champions League duel because we're both in the Europa League," Xavi pointed out. "I think they're two of the best teams in the world. Barça was having a bad time in recent seasons, and Manchester too. All clubs go through difficult times, but you have to change the chip to be the best again", agreed Raphinha. "But it still hurts not to hear the Champions League anthem," Xavi stressed that he wants to win the Europa League to show that his team has improved.
Barça has not known defeat since the duel against Bayern Munich (0-3) on October 26, and since then they have added 14 wins and two draws (Espanyol and the Super Cup semifinals against Betis) that have served to win the Super Cup title, reach the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and consolidate their lead in the League by eleven provisional points ahead of Real Madrid. Looking back, the coach acknowledges that he would have changed certain aspects. “It would have changed things at the player level and at the tactical level. We were not at the level and now we have to think about winning this competition. You have to show it in every game, in every press conference. There is a lot of demand, ”acknowledged the coach.
In addition, in this period of time, Xavi Hernández's team has grown with the formula of four midfielders and is showing great defensive solidity. “We are in our best form and we have everything to keep going in all competitions. The change doesn't affect me because we have to adapt to the way we play. Whether with 3 or 4 midfielders, you have to adapt quickly," said Raphinha, Xavi's choice to replace the injured Dembélé, who acknowledged that he is still getting used to the Blaugrana philosophy. "I think that although I still have a lot to improve, I'm in the best moment. I want to thank my teammates and the coach who are helping me every day", he sentenced before revealing that another footballer who aspires to be a starter in the Blaugrana attack, Ansu Fati, is not going through his best moment. "He is not playing and he's a little low, it's normal. But he has a very high quality. He has a lot of quality, you know it"
For its part, Manchester United is also going through a very positive dynamic of play and results that have allowed it to climb to the top of the Premier League and seal the ticket for the EFL Cup final, in which they will face Newcastle. next February 26. “It was time to see a Manchester like that. Ten Hag has changed his face. He struggled a lot at the beginning but he has improved a lot. Things can complicate us. We want to show that we are at the level that is required ”, said Xavi who, despite everything, flees from pressure and favoritism. “It is a competition that has been very beautiful due to its complication. We take it in the best possible way, with motivation and desire. The euphoria of the environment is good because we see people excited. We are humbled to go far in this competition, but we don't feel extra pressure," he said.
