Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-11 08:34:24
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was full of praise for his team after their impressive 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. The win demonstrated that Barcelona can once again compete with the top teams in Europe, according to Xavi.
Xavi commended his team’s performance in both defense and attack, highlighting their ability to minimize PSG’s threats. Despite going behind after goals by Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha early in the second half, Barcelona fought back with goals from Raphinha and substitute Andreas Christensen to secure the win.
The victory over PSG is significant for Barcelona, who are making their first appearance in the Champions League quarter-finals since 2020 when they suffered a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich. This win also marks their first away victory in the knockout stage of the competition since 2019.
Looking ahead to the second leg at Montjuic, Xavi emphasized the importance of continuing to play with confidence and belief. He acknowledged the tough task awaiting them in Barcelona but expressed pride in his team’s performance in Paris.
Despite the defeat, PSG coach Luis Enrique remains optimistic about his team’s chances of overturning the result in the return leg. He pointed out that PSG have not lost away from home in the league this season and believes they have six days to prepare for the crucial second leg.
Enrique acknowledged that little details decided the outcome of the first leg but is confident that with some adjustments, PSG can secure a different result in the return fixture. He stressed the importance of remaining focused and working on the areas that need improvement to ensure a positive outcome for his team.
Overall, the first leg clash between Barcelona and PSG highlighted the competitiveness and intensity of the Champions League quarter-finals. Both teams will be eager to put their best foot forward in the return leg as they aim to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
