Both Xavi Hernández and Luis Enrique have put forward Paris Saint-Germain as the favorite to reach the semi-finals. Barcelona defeated the French top club Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes, but PSG holds the upper hand.
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In the aftermath of a thrilling match, Xavi Hernandez expressed immense pride in his team's performance during the post-game press conference.
He had previously acknowledged Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as being ahead of Barcelona in terms of preparation and capability, which made the victory even more gratifying for him. However, Xavi was quick to temper expectations, noting, "But it will be very difficult in Barcelona. This is far from over." He highlighted the challenge of enduring PSG's intense pressure and maintained that PSG still held the position of favorites to progress to the semi-finals.
Luis Enrique, on the other hand, faced a mix of emotions following the game. Although the defeat was painful, he remained optimistic about the return leg, confidently stating, "I still think we will reach the semi-finals, there's no doubt about that." He praised his team's track record of performing well in away games and brushed off any concerns about his lineup decisions. When questioned about his choices, Luis Enrique defensively remarked, "I am the only one in this room who sees all the training sessions. That's why I decide who plays and who doesn't."
The topic of Barcelona's defense was inevitably brought up, with inquiries about whether it represented the team's weak link. Luis Enrique's response was to draw attention to the broader context of the Champions League quarter-finals, pointing out the high number of goals across all matches as indicative of the competition's overall quality rather than a specific vulnerability in his team. "Look at all the quarter-final matches. Yesterday there were ten goals, and today eight," he noted, suggesting that the occurrence of goals was a natural outcome of high-level teams facing off against each other.
Amid these discussions, Raphinha shared a personal milestone, celebrating one of the most memorable nights of his career. Scoring against PSG, a team he regards as one of the best in the world, was a special achievement for him. "This is a special night for me that will always be engraved in my memory," he shared, encapsulating the emotional highs that accompany significant moments in the Champions League.
The mix of pride, optimism, and individual achievements highlighted in the aftermath of the game paints a vivid picture of the intense emotions and high stakes involved in Champions League football. As both teams look forward to the return leg in Barcelona, the anticipation and expectations from fans and players alike set the stage for another enthralling encounter in one of football's most prestigious competitions.
