"Pedri and De Jong? All those who have travelled are available"
Xavi Hernandez spoke in the press room ahead of the blaugrana's clash against PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. The player from Egarve said that Pedri and De Jong are ready to play, which is why they have travelled, although he is still not sure about the line-up.
7 months ago
Barcelona are brimming with excitement after their return to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they will face PSG. Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, in the press room, gave his first impressions ahead of the first leg at the Parc des Princes.
"I think the word, after four years out of the quarter-finals, the word is illusion. We can dream. We are very motivated. We are at the best moment of the season and we are playing against a team that is ready to win the Champions League with one of the best coaches, Luis Enrique", he said.
The Catalan coach also confirmed the presence of Pedri and De Jong: "I'm positive that all those who have travelled will be available and then we will decide which team to select.
On Luis Enrique's words: "I've seen it. It's Luis Enrique. I think you know him. All the respect in the world. He has a team made to win the Champions League and that's the intention. We are both looking for the same thing. We can boast that Luis Enrique, Guardiola, Arteta and us have Barca DNA. Tomorrow we'll be looking for the same thing: to come out with the ball...".
Moreover, he did not see Mbappe as the only danger: "Mbappe, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Vitinha.... The scorer is Mbappe. We have to be careful to keep an eye on transitions.
"Gundogan will be important to win the duels in midfield. Luis Enrique's teams are the most intense in the world. We're talking about a game in which it will be difficult for us to have the ball in the opposition half. There are so many variations that we have to control," he continued.
"It was difficult at the beginning but it ended well with the treble and lifting the Champions League as captain. It was a very good relationship from captain to coach and I remember it with pride," he said of his relationship with Luis Enrique.
On Dembele: "He sent me a message when the draw was over. He decided to come. I think they are favourites because they brought one of the best players.
"I think the word, after four years out of the quarter-finals, the word is illusion. We can dream. We are very motivated. We are at the best moment of the season and we are playing against a team that is ready to win the Champions League with one of the best coaches, Luis Enrique", he said.
The Catalan coach also confirmed the presence of Pedri and De Jong: "I'm positive that all those who have travelled will be available and then we will decide which team to select.
On Luis Enrique's words: "I've seen it. It's Luis Enrique. I think you know him. All the respect in the world. He has a team made to win the Champions League and that's the intention. We are both looking for the same thing. We can boast that Luis Enrique, Guardiola, Arteta and us have Barca DNA. Tomorrow we'll be looking for the same thing: to come out with the ball...".
Moreover, he did not see Mbappe as the only danger: "Mbappe, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Vitinha.... The scorer is Mbappe. We have to be careful to keep an eye on transitions.
"Gundogan will be important to win the duels in midfield. Luis Enrique's teams are the most intense in the world. We're talking about a game in which it will be difficult for us to have the ball in the opposition half. There are so many variations that we have to control," he continued.
"It was difficult at the beginning but it ended well with the treble and lifting the Champions League as captain. It was a very good relationship from captain to coach and I remember it with pride," he said of his relationship with Luis Enrique.
On Dembele: "He sent me a message when the draw was over. He decided to come. I think they are favourites because they brought one of the best players.
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