This Tuesday’s match against PSG is, without a doubt, the most important of the season to date for Barça. Also for Xavi Hernández in his short period as coach. “We are excited for the better. We want to have personality against one of the best teams in the world,” acknowledged the coach after the 2-3 that gives his team a certain advantage to be in the Champions League semifinals. The hours before are being intense. There is a mixture of nerves, excitement and contained euphoria.
It was staged well by president Joan Laporta, who visited the team in the last session. Smiling and with a firm step, Laporta crossed the Tito Vilanova field to hug the Barça coach, Xavi Hernández and greet his coaching staff. “He told me that he wanted to play the rondo. There is once again enthusiasm, emotion… you notice it on the street. You feel that it is a great opportunity and the first one who is a fan, who lives it and who feels it is the president who has I wanted to give that confidence to the players,” explained Xavi.
Laporta left the field just before the available Barça players had their last training session before playing for their place in the semi-final of the top European competition, which they will face without the suspended Sergi Roberto and Christensen, nor the long-term injured Gavi and Balde. “The losses of Christensen and Sergi are very sensitive. The sanctions hurt us. But the key for tomorrow is to be a team offensively and defensively. We have to give our all to get to the semi-finals. If we are a team, we will have passing numbers,” Xavi said that he sees Pedri ready to start tomorrow.
Vice President Rafa Yuste, who celebrates his birthday today, also visited the team but privately. A pass to the semifinals of the Champions League would be his best gift and that is how he conveyed it to everyone who crossed his path in the sports city. To calm things down, Xavi also provided that necessary dose of caution. “Luis Enrique and PSG have so many players that you don’t know how he can use them. We must have a very clear structure in defense and attack. We did it in the first leg, it went well and, with some variation, we will repeat tactics,” he confessed along with another wish: “I hope that Montjuïc is a cauldron. But this is about footballers, that they are brilliant. Prepare them, guide them and that they are inspired so that they can be in the semifinals.”
It has rained a lot, specifically five years, since the last time Barça reached the semifinals. It was the 2018-2019 season. Valverde’s Barça beat Manchester United and said goodbye in the run-up to the European final after losing against Liverpool. “It would be one more reason to make it more mystical. Going to the semi-finals after five years would be a resounding success. Seeing again the culés like this is already a success, but the objective is to go to the semi-finals and it would be very exciting,” said Xavi. In desire and enthusiasm, no one beats him. He has had good teachers in everything. “Along with Luis Aragonés and Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique is one of the three coaches who has had the most impact on me. When I think about what things I can do, I remember a lot of the three. He has had an impact on me and that is my reality. But I don’t tell you worry about me. The important thing is that the club goes to the semifinals, not that I advance anywhere,” he said.