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6 months ago
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Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Fernandez has said that the French team will have a slight advantage over Barcelona during their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
The former manager mentioned that Barcelona’s injury worries might hit them during the contest. However, he did mention that since the second leg will be in Catalonia, the tie could be a close one.
“Surely PSG are a little more favourite because of the casualties that Barça have, but I am sure that the Catalans will be close,” Fernandez was quoted by SPORT.
“Barça have the advantage of playing the return leg at home. What will surely happen is a good show because the two teams want the ball and score goals,” he added.
Problems at Barcelona
Fernandez went on to add that the current Barcelona team is very different from the previous season since it has more problems and important players are injured.
Amidst all this, he admitted that he is a big admirer of Xavi since he decided to return to the club where it all began for him.
“This Barça is not the one from last year, they have more problems, more difficulties and have important injured players, but very talented, important young players are also arriving. And they have a coach that I love.
“I am an admirer of Xavi. He has returned to his club, to the team in which he marvelled with Iniesta and Busquets in the midfield. Barça is great and we have to respect them even if they are going through some financial problems. I’m sure he’ll come back.
Luis Fernandez is a fan of Xavi. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Fernandez went on to mention that the economic issues continue to hold Barcelona back. Above all, he also talked about the casualties Barcelona will have to deal with as they prepare for the match.
“Barça have economic problems and are not going through their best time. In addition, important players such as Gavi, Pedri and De Jong are injured. I don’t know if anyone will recover for the trip.
“They are important casualties in midfield and for me, it is the most important line, it is the one that manages the game,” he said.
The Mbappe factor
The biggest threat Barcelona will face against PSG will be a certain Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid-bound forward, with his scorching pace, will threaten the Barcelona defence and Fernadez has said that this will be a problem for the Blaugrana.
“How to stop Kylian? It is difficult because he is very good, because of his way of playing, because of his power, because of his ability to score goals, but as I always say, the collective strength must do it.
“A player alone will not be able to. Xavi will have to come up with a collective plan.”
Fernandez added that Mbappe could indeed be stopped if Xavi could come up with something better to deal with the Frenchman.
“Can Mbappe be stopped? All players can be stopped. I have played with players like Zidane and Platini who were very big and stopped them. They didn’t make a difference in all the matches.
“There is a game reading that is done, when you play against these footballers, the rival coach always has a plan to stop him And if everyone does things right, these types of players can be stopped.”
The former PSG boss went on the mention that Mbappe alone will not make a difference and if Barcelona are to pose a threat, it can come through Lamine Yamal, Roberto Lewandowski or even Raphinha as well.
“Is Mbappe the difference between PSG and Barça? The difference is not made by a player, the difference is made by a talented group. PSG has it with Mbappe, but Barça also has it with Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha in attack.”
“Obviously, Mbappe makes differences because he is very good, but in order to succeed he must have a collective behind him and I like the collective that PSG currently has very much.”
Lastly, Fernandez also talked about his thoughts on Xavi, saying that the 44-year-old has Barcelona in his heart and his dedication can be understood by the fact that he is bringing the best out of players.
“The thing is that Xavi has Barça in his heart, as I have PSG, Cannes and Athletic. Xavi represents the Barça that played so well, that he won everything, which made football fans enjoy so much.
“Last year he was the champion, I don’t understand why he’s leaving because this year he isn’t. He is bringing out young people like Cubarsi and Lamine. Barça will surely be at the top again.
“I liked Xavi as a player and I like him as a coach. That he is wrong in some alignment, I was wrong too. Guardiola also makes mistakes, although these are less so because he has a lot of talent,” he added.
