“I know we can win,” Xavi talks about Galatasaray fixture and home crowd atmosphere ahead of the all-important Europa League QF match
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Speaking during the pre-match press conference in Istanbul, Barcelona manager Xavi talked about a lot of things, including the new Spotify deal, Galatasaray’s home atmosphere, how the match should be treated and what will his potential lineup be?
Here are some excerpts from the press conference.
Xavi: “We face Galatasaray – and their fans; I know we can win”
The Barcelona coach accepts their clash at Galatasaray is a “final”. Barcelona have to win in Turkey if they want to reach the quarter-final of the Europa League after a goalless draw against Galatasaray in the first leg at Camp Nou last week.
“It’s a final,” the former Barcelona captain said.
“We cannot slip up, it’s all or nothing. We need more intensity than the first leg. I did not like the first half. We were better in the second half but not clinical. Against Osasuna, we killed the game off early because we had intensity and quick ball circulation and it needs to be the same tomorrow,” he added.
“We didn’t do our homework last week and now we have to win away at a tough stadium, with fans that really support the team, some of the best in Europe. It’s the same situation as against Napoli,” he further said.
On the pressure of having to get a result, he said, “I like it. I am competitive, a winner. So are the players. These are the situations we like. It’s an opportunity. We came out of that Napoli game strengthened and we can do the same now.”
The Barça coach also considers the Europa League important to “solidify” the project being built at the club.
“The main objective is to be back in the Champions League but this is a European competition and we want to show we can compete in Europe. The Europa League is a great competition,” he said.
Xavi talks about Galatasaray’s home atmosphere
Xavi was asked about facing one of the most vocal and active ultras in the world when he plays against Istanbul tomorrow. To that, he replied: “As I have said many times, the most important thing for us is to be in the Champions League next season. Now we are playing in the Europa League and if we win it we would qualify for the Champions League and we would also win a European trophy this season. That would validate this new project we are starting. So it’s important and we are excited about it,” he said.
We have talked about it in the dressing room, we really want to do it well and show that we can compete in Europe. Even though it is the Europa League, it is still a great competition. Galatasaray’s stadium is a cauldron. When you win you gain confidence and your ideas are strengthened. But when you lose, it’s the opposite. It’s normal, it’s football,” he further said.
“Regarding the Turkish hell, it is true we will play in a difficult stadium with different pitch measures, the fans will push a lot and they will be even more aggressive than they were in the first leg away. So it will be a fiery test for us that will make a big impact in the game and the tie,” he concluded.
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Aryan Sharma
(95 Articles Published)