Xavi calls for 'boiling point' atmosphere at Montjuïc
The time has come as FC Barcelona face one of their most important games of the season with the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. The blaugranes took an excellent 3-2 win in the French capital last Wednesday but there is still work to do with the return leg in the Estadi Olímpic on Tuesday, kick off 9pm CEST. Both the players and coach Xavi Hernández are all too aware of the challenge that faces them. "We will have to show a lot of personality to get to the semi-finals," said the Barça coach in his pre-game appearance before the press on Monday. The boss then added that making the semi-finals would be "a complete success" for the Club.
"We will have to control ourselves and take the initiative but it will be tough. PSG will come out attacking because Luis Enrique will not sit back. I know him well and I know they will put us under a lot of pressure. We are up against one of best teams in the world, one of the most intense and they won't gift us anything, and he is one of the best coaches in the world," continued Xavi.
"We are playing at home and Montjuïc has to be a big night venue. It will have to be a boiling point atmosphere. We need the fans because there will be tricky moments and PSG will make us work hard and so at this time we have to be united."
Despite the challenge ahead, Xavi showed himself to be confident about Barça's chances: "I am very proud to be in the quarter-finals and have a chance to make the semi-finals. The Barça fans are excited and so am I given where we are now. There is a lot of excitement and you can feel it, both in the team and elsewhere, when you are on the street. We have got back that excitement that we have missed this season."
The emotional factor for Xavi will be key as it will help overcome the negative of players missing due to suspension: "The players banned, Sergi Roberto and Christensen, hurts us, it's true but the key against PSG will be to play as a team. If we can do it, regardless of names, we will have a great chance. We have to give it all to get to the semi-finals."