It was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Lisbon club, which put Ronald Koeman on the precipice of the sack and put Los Cules’ continental campaign on the rocks.
Barcelona need to be positive and go on the attack
Xavi will take charge of his first Champions League match as Barcelona coach on Tuesday, with the Blaugrana facing a must-win tie against Benfica, and the Spanish coach has urged his team to show that they’re better than when the teams first met. It was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Lisbon club, which put Ronald Koeman on the precipice of the sack and put Los Cules’ continental campaign on the rocks. Back-to-back victories against Dynamo Kyiv have significantly boosted the Spanish club’s chances, but they can’t afford to slip up at home to Benfica. “We have to show on the pitch that we’re better,” Xavi detailed in his pre-match press conference. “If we win, we will be in the second round. We need to be positive and go on the attack, go for the three points, even though we lost the last game with Benfica 3-0.”
Xavi asks the supporters to come and help the team and cheer them on
Xavi’s first match in charge of the club came in the Catalan derby against Espanyol, and he has been quick to thank the fans for a spectacular atmosphere, but he has once again encouraged them to support the team on Tuesday. “First of all, thank you for the atmosphere on Saturday; the fans were amazing,” Xavi added. “It was the best atmosphere I’ve felt in the Camp Nou in my life. I ask you to come and help us and cheer us on; it must be an atmosphere which makes goosebumps.” On Monday morning, Pedri was officially awarded the European Golden Boy award, yet the Spanish midfielder has suffered another setback on his road to recovery from injury. Xavi was asked about the condition of the playmaker, although he was enthused about the prospect of working with him once he returned.
“His return will depend on how he recovers,” Xavi continued. “I’m happy he has won the Golden Boy award because his performances have been extraordinary. It’s not an easy injury, he’s a key player and makes a difference for us, but I don’t have a date for his return; we want him to come back as soon as possible and do it one hundred per cent.”