Barca are doing really well on Coach Xavi’s “farewell tour”. There was no defeat in 13 competitive games, although there were ten wins. The last six games have been won. In addition, the 1-0 win at Cadiz on Saturday was the sixth league game in a row without conceding a goal. With this record, self-confidence could be a key factor on the way to the semi-finals. “I am very proud of how the club is currently doing,” emphasized Xavi.
But he didn’t want to accept the role of favorite. In his opinion, PSG is still favored to advance to the next round. “Luis Enrique’s teams always go on the attack. “It’s very hard to defend well against PSG,” explained the 44-year-old Spaniard. Midfielder Pedri also knows this, who said: “PSG will give us nothing, we have to go onto the pitch with great passion and hunger for success.”
IMAGO/Michael Baucher Luis Enrique and Xavi – the former Barcelona colleagues are now opponents on the sidelines
Xavi hopes for a “magical night”
Above all, Kylian Mbappe needs to be kept in check. The star striker, who will probably move to Real Madrid in the summer, came away empty-handed in the first leg. Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha scored the goals. On the Spanish side, Raphinha was outstanding with a brace, while central defender Andreas Christensen became the match winner.
“We have created a very big chance,” said Xavi. He is hoping for a “magical night” in the alternative location at the Olympic Stadium, which the Catalans have already experienced many times at the Camp Nou. However, winning goalscorer Christensen, like midfielder Sergi Roberto, cannot play a role. The French don’t have these problems; full-back Achraf Hakimi is returning after his suspension.
Finalphase
Another small advantage is the fact that PSG had no game at the weekend and could therefore fully focus on and prepare for the decider on Spanish soil since the first duel. “Everything is still open. We have a final ahead of us and I have confidence in my team,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique full of optimism.
Dortmund needs “energy from outside”
Like Barca, Atletico, which won 3-1 against Girona in the league’s dress rehearsal, goes into the return game against Dortmund with a small cushion. “All games at this level are very even. Another match against a very strong rival awaits us,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. The Madrilenians would make it to the semi-finals for the first time since 2017.
Dortmund have not been in the semi-finals since losing the final in 2013. “We will need the energy that comes from outside. Then I firmly believe that we can handle it,” said BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl, relying fully on the support of the fans. In terms of football, the Black and Yellows have to present themselves better than in the first leg, when Sebastien Haller scored the goal late on. “It will be a very intense game. We will have to wait for our chances and work hard for them,” speculated Kehl.
APA/AFP/Oscar del Pozo Sebastien Haller will not score another goal against Atletico – he will miss the second leg due to injury
Haller will be missing due to an ankle injury, but Jadon Sancho, who was absent from Saturday’s 2-1 league win against Mönchengladbach due to illness, returns to the squad. After his brace in the league, ÖFB team player Sabitzer seems to be placed in the midfield of the fifth-placed German team in a duel with the fourth-placed Spanish team. Meanwhile, coach Edin Terzic left it open whether Niclas Füllkrug or Youssoufa Moukoko would replace Haller in the starting line-up.
2024-04-16 14:00:15
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