Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique will face not only his former club, FC Barcelona, but also a player he managed, Xavi Hernández. After Friday’s draw that pinned PSG against the Catalan team, Enrique spoke about facing Xavi.
On Saturday, Enrique spoke to reporters before the capital club’s Sunday game against Montpellier HSC, where he was asked about facing the 44-year-old. The PSG manager noted he doesn’t know him as a coach, but Xavi does know him and what to expect.
“I don’t know much about Xavi’s work as a coach, but he knows mine,” Enrique told reporters (h/t Paris Fans). I’m familiar with his experience; he’s clearly a significant figure in the field. I would have liked him to train me like Guardiola or Arteta did. As a player, I would have appreciated that. It would have been a great opportunity to see their methods.
“But it’s obvious that when you’re in a club like FC Barcelona, especially in Xavi Hernandez’s case, who has been a player there, he’s given this chance because he’s at that level and ready for it. Moreover, he’s won the Spanish championship. FC Barcelona is undoubtedly a top club, and it’s going to be very challenging. It’s a historic club, one of the best. It’s one of the teams with the most Champions League titles.
“We’re talking about an opponent who knows what they’re doing. We have a lot of ambition to win the first match. We don’t know if we’ll win it, but it’s our biggest goal, and I don’t think anyone will want it more than us. It might be a negative thought, but it’s mine.”
Although the Spanish club will host the second leg, the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner doesn’t believe that the Catalan side is the favorite in the matchup. Xavi notes that the Parisians should have that title heading into the first leg.
The winner of this matchup will face either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, so a victory in the quarterfinals will have PSG or Barcelona on a clear path to the final in London.
Xavi was under Enrique and I’m sure he knows Lui’s Tactics and the advantage is that Enrique doesn’t know Hernandez’s tactics as coach but as player. It is an opportunity for Barca or Catalan side to be on top of Paris Saint German team.
His comments almost sound defeatist. I have noticed this same disposition with Pep when he was pitted against Barca previously. Know that this has a massive psychological effect on the squad if their manager does not 100% believe they can win.
MBappe alone does not guarantee the result – all 11 players need to have a plan and belief (as transmitted via their coach).