07/09/2022
Barcelona coach Xavi not deterred by Barcelona’s recent history in Champions League: We will dream big
Spanish giants FC Barcelona have been grouped with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen in their Champions League group. Barcelona manager Xavi has spoken about the club’s goals in the top European competition.
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IndiaToday.in
India Today Web Desk
New Delhi
September 6, 2022UPDATED: September 6, 2022 22:36 IST
FC Barcelona manager Xavi talks ahead of Champions League (Courtesy: Reuters)
HIGHLIGHTS
FC Barcelona have not won a Champions League since 2015
Barcelona were knocked out from the Champions League in the group stage in 2021
Barcelona will be wary of Bayern Munich considering their history
FC Barcelona manager Xavi sounded confident ahead of the club's Champions League campaign. Barcelona were knocked out in the group stage of the last season forcing them to play in the Europa League, a competition that the club has not been a part of for many years.
Barcelona have started off their campaign in a good note, but will face tough competition in the Group of Death which houses the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
"We will compete and dream big. Otherwise, I would have stayed at home," Xavi told a news conference on the eve of Wednesday's opening Group C game against Viktoria Plzen.
"Why can't we win this competition? Barca is about winning. I like to win, I can't conceive competing without winning.
"Being favourites is something else. You have to be humble. Every match is going to be a war. We haven't won a Champions League title here since 2015."
Barcelona have done well in LaLiga since their scratchy opening game. New signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde have given the club strong wins in the recent weeks.
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"I see every day how the fans are. The jerseys have sold out, people stop us and cheer us on the street. We have to keep going, it's a positive feeling," Xavi said.
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"We welcome the pressure here, there is pressure every day when you are at Barcelona.
"We have won five Champions League titles under pressure. Dreaming about winning again is not adding pressure."
Xavi is aware that the first group game at home against the group's weakest team in Viktoria Plzen could be tricky, with matches against Bayern and Inter Milan to come.
"I know that people see us as the favourites, but they (Plzen) are a very physical, very hard working team. It's a trap game," he said.
"For now we need to be focused on our goal which is advancing to the knockout stage. We have to reach at least the last 16 in such a difficult competition and a very complicated group.
"The objectives, however, are winning titles, but for tomorrow we have to win in our debut," the manager concluded.
