LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez views the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain as a chance for the five-time champions to reclaim their rightful place after consecutive group stage exits.
With an impressive run of form, Barcelona has emerged victorious in eight of their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Their defensive prowess is evident, having conceded just one goal in their previous six outings. Currently sitting second in LaLiga, they trail leaders Real Madrid by eight points.
After a four-year absence, Barcelona has secured a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, a feat they accomplished in every season from 2007-08 to 2019-20.
“It is a key moment. The word after being out of the quarter-finals for four years is excitement,” Xavi told a press conference on the eve of the quarter-final first leg.
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“We can dream again. We think we are at the best moment of the season, but we have one of the best teams in Europe in front of us, with one of the best coaches in Luis Enrique. It is a team built to win the Champions League.”
In 2017, under manager Luis Enrique, Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback against PSG in the round of 16, triumphing 6-1 at the Camp Nou following a 4-0 defeat in the first leg in Paris.
During a press conference, Luis Enrique acknowledged the enduring influence of Barcelona’s distinctive playing style on his work with PSG.
“I have a great relationship with (Luis Enrique),” Xavi said. “He has a team built to win the Champions League. We’re facing a very difficult opponent and we’re both looking for a similar style.”
He added: “We can be proud of having the Barca DNA – Luis Enrique, (Manchester City manager) Pep Guardiola or (Arsenal boss) Mikel Arteta.
“Tomorrow we’ll be looking for the same thing. From here on it’s up to the players to find the DNA that identifies us so much.
“Football is unpredictable but we’ll try to control the variations. Luis Enrique has a wide range of talent at his disposal but we’ll try to play them (PSG) as equals.”