Barcelona are having fun with a stellar season within the La Liga, the place the aspect is at the moment 5 factors clear off the second-placed Actual Madrid. The Catalan giants are on a four-match successful streak within the league and strengthened their possibilities to finish a title drought with an in depth win over Actual Betis earlier this week.
Nevertheless, the aspect had confronted a setback earlier within the season when it was knocked out within the Champions League within the group stage; Barcelona had completed third within the group that had Bayern Munich and Inter Milan progressing to the round-of-16. Xavi, the membership’s legendary former midfielder who had returned to Barcelona as supervisor in November 2021, understands how essential it’s for the membership to compete within the top-tier competitors.
“It is troublesome to handle Barcelona,” Xavi advised Hindustan Instances in a media interplay. “We’ve got loads of strain. We have to win titles. Fortuitously, I do know the membership and the atmosphere.”
Xavi says he’s drawing inspiration from his time as a participant at Barcelona to tackle the problem of steering the membership out of wrestle in Europe. The midfielder represented Barcelona between 1998-2015, showing in 505 La Liga matches and successful eight league titles. He additionally lifted the Champions League trophy on 4 events with the membership.
“I have been right here as a participant for twenty-four years, so I am proud and honoured to be the coach of Barcelona. I do know the strain right here, many individuals criticise us, however that is Barcelona. I settle for this problem. I am comfortable to be right here. We have to win titles to keep away from criticism,” Xavi says.
Barcelona will not be within the Champions League this season anymore, but it surely doesn’t imply they received’t have a tricky competitors in Europe. The membership was drawn to Manchester United within the Europa League round-of-16 and can host Erik Ten Hag’s males within the first leg on February 16. United, like Barcelona, are additionally present process a revival beneath the Dutch supervisor; the aspect is at the moment fourth within the Premier League and entered the ultimate of the English League Cup earlier this week.
“We weren’t fortunate within the draw as a result of we now have to face Manchester United!” Xavi chuckled as he talked concerning the upcoming conflict. “They’re on run. It is all the time a pleasure to play at Outdated Trafford. Ten Hag is doing job, they’ve excellent gamers and it may be actually troublesome to beat them,” mentioned the Barcelona coach forward of the conflict.
Manchester United have struggled considerably over the previous few years, with the membership’s final trophy being the Europa League title in 2017. The silverware, nonetheless, appears nearer beneath Ten Hag and Xavi says each golf equipment are slowly – however certainly – on an upward curve.
“Sure, roughly (each golf equipment are at the same level),” Xavi advised Hindustan Instances. “We’re coming again. Manchester United and Barcelona, each are within the Europa League. I feel each groups should be within the Champions League, however that is our actuality and we have to face it,” Xavi additional says.
The midfielder has been part of many memorable clashes towards United, and can now be assembly the membership for the primary time as a supervisor. “Manchester United and Barcelona have had many issues within the final 2-3 years. However I feel we’re coming again. In my view, (Erik) Ten Hag is doing an excellent job. Each groups are in the same course of (of revival),” mentioned Xavi additional.
Barcelona is Messi’s house
It could have been far more than a yr since Messi left Barcelona, however Xavi insists that the Argentina legend will likely be welcomed with open arms if he needs to come back again. The Barcelona supervisor, who spent a big a part of his membership profession with Messi, mentioned the choice to come back again will depend on “Messi greater than the membership.”
“Why not (about the potential of Messi’s return). I feel it will depend on him,” Xavi mentioned.
“What he needs, what he feels. After all, Barcelona is all the time Messi’s house. Doorways will likely be opened for Leo, particularly if I am the coach right here. Let’s have a look at what he needs to do. The choice will depend on Messi greater than the membership.”
It was just lately reported that Messi is about to signal a brand new contract with Paris Saint-Germain; nonetheless, there was no affirmation on the identical.