Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed caution despite his team's 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie. Raphinha's brace and Andreas Christensen's late winner secured the win for Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, giving them a slight advantage heading into the second leg in Spain.
Xavi acknowledged PSG as the favorites for the overall tie, emphasizing the challenge of playing in Barcelona. He praised his team's defensive unity and expressed pride in their performance, highlighting the need for improved concentration in certain phases of the game.
Barcelona, aiming to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2019, are determined to overcome their recent struggles in the competition. Xavi expressed hope that the team has moved past their past difficulties and demonstrated that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
PSG manager Luis Enrique, a former Barcelona treble winner, accepted the defeat graciously and focused on the upcoming second leg, which he likened to a final. Despite the loss, Enrique remained confident in PSG's ability to qualify and commended Barcelona for their performance.
The match saw a back-and-forth battle, with Dembélé and Vitinha scoring for PSG in response to Raphinha's opener. Christensen's late goal proved decisive, securing the victory for Barcelona.
Looking ahead to the second leg, both coaches emphasized the importance of details and the need for improvement. While Barcelona holds a narrow lead, Enrique refused to label them as favorites and vowed to approach the return leg as a fierce competition.
The stage is set for an intense showdown in Barcelona, with both teams determined to secure a spot in the Champions League semifinals. The outcome remains uncertain, with small details likely to play a crucial role in determining the ultimate winner of this closely contested tie.
