Barcelona might be keen to indicate everybody that they’re higher than rivals Bayern Munich when the 2 groups face off within the Champions League on Wednesday, supervisor Xavi Hernandez stated.
Barcelona had been crushed 2-0 by Bayern in final month’s Group C fixture, a outcome that Xavi stated was not a real reflection of the workforce’s expertise.
However having gained solely considered one of their 4 matches in Europe this season, Xavi desires his workforce to indicate their true value at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
“We have now to indicate ourselves that even when we’re knocked out (of the Champions League) we’re an excellent workforce and we are able to compete in opposition to one of the best groups on the market,” Xavi informed a information convention on Tuesday.
“That sport in Munich was a shame as a result of we deserved rather more. That was an accident as a result of we lacked the ultimate contact.
Despite the fact that Barcelona had extra possession than Bayern and outshot them 18-13, the German aspect scored twice in 4 minutes in opposition to the run of play to safe the win.
Barca’s detached type within the competitors has left them in peril of being eradicated early within the competitors as they’re third within the standings with 4 factors, eight factors behind leaders Bayern and three behind second-placed Inter Milan with two group matches remaining.
Inter host bottom-placed Viktoria Plzen, who’ve but to attain some extent, within the different group fixture on Wednesday.
If the Italians win, they’d qualify for the final 16 and knock out Barca because of a greater head-to-head document. Bayern have already secured their place within the subsequent spherical.
“No matter what occurs in Milan, now we have to win. We have now to play as if solely our sport issues, to indicate that we’re higher than Bayern,” stated Xavi.
“I don’t like to speak about miracles… now we have a small hope. Although we’re in a really uncomfortable state of affairs.
“The numbers are all in opposition to us. However … surprising issues can occur.”
Barcelona, who additionally exited the match following the group stage final season, suffered one other setback after they had been handed a 3-1 defeat by Actual Madrid on this month’s El Clasico.
Xavi stated that he and his gamers will watch the Inter sport collectively within the altering room, however refused to ship a message to the Viktoria Plzen gamers forward of the match.
“I have already got an excessive amount of in hand to start out enjoying the coach of different groups,” Xavi laughed.
“We have now not been on the degree that we needed in some video games. I’ve the sensation that we (at occasions we) had it in our fingers and now it’s not as much as us. So we face this case solely due to our personal errors.” (Reporting by Fernando Kallas, modifying by Pritha Sarkar)