Paris Saint Germain manager Luis Enrique has stirred the pot ahead of the Champions League clash with his former club, FC Barcelona on Wednesday, April 10, asserting that he embodies the values of Barcelona more authentically than current manager Xavi Hernandez.
The Spanish tactician, who guided Barcelona to a historic treble in 2015 during his tenure at the club, believes his track record speaks for itself in comparison to Xavi’s achievements.
Despite Xavi Hernandez’s illustrious playing career at Barcelona, where he amassed over 20 major trophies and secured the La Liga title in his debut season as manager, Luis Enrique remains confident in his claim to represent the essence of the club.
I represent Barcelona better than Xavi Hernandez – Luis Enrique
Enrique said: “I represent the Barca way better, although others may have different opinions.”, highlighting his accomplishments and trophy haul during his time as both a player and manager at Barcelona.
Having spent eight years as a player at Barcelona and subsequently coaching the team from 2014 to 2017, Luis Enrique is intimately familiar with the club’s culture and ethos.
While acknowledging Xavi’s contributions as a former teammate and player, Luis Enrique admits he is less acquainted with his opposite number’s coaching style.
Nevertheless, he remains emotionally invested in the upcoming clash, given his deep-rooted connection to Barcelona.
For Xavi, the match against PSG represents a pivotal moment for Barcelona, marking their return to the Champions League quarter-finals after a four-year absence.
Xavi Hernandez excited by his team’s resurgence
The Barcelona legend expressed his excitement about the team’s resurgence and emphasized the significance of facing a formidable opponent like Paris Saint Germain, managed by the highly regarded Luis Enrique.
Xavi highlighted the importance of instilling Barcelona’s distinctive playing style, often referred to as the “Barca DNA” which he shares with esteemed coaches like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Despite the challenges posed by Paris Saint Germain, Xavi Hernandez remains optimistic about his team’s chances and is determined to approach the match with confidence and resilience.
The Spaniard said: “It is a key moment. The word after being out of the quarter-finals for four years is excitement.
“We can dream again. We think we are at the best moment of the season, but we have one of the best teams in Europe in front of us, with one of the best coaches in Luis Enrique. It is a team built to win the Champions League.”
Acknowledging his positive acquaintance with Luis Enrique, Xavi Hernandez stressed the importance of maintaining Barcelona’s identity on the pitch and urged his players to embrace their unique style of play.
Moreover, while recognizing the talent and depth of Luis Enrique’s squad, Xavi remained steadfast in his belief that Barcelona could compete on equal footing with Paris Saint Germain, aiming to control the game and impose their trademark brand of football.
