‘There is time’ – Barcelona president not giving up on Xavi’s continuity

We are a little more than 24 hours away from Barcelona’s biggest game of the season as they take on PSG in the second leg of the quarterfinals.

Coming on the back of a 3-2 victory in the first leg, Barcelona have a glorious opportunity to seal a ticket to the semifinals just by securing a draw with PSG – a result that will only add €12.5 million to the Barça coffers.

As Barcelona approach this game, the club’s president Joan Laporta has urged the fans to back the team and create a buzzing atmosphere.

Laporta’s message to Barça fans

“I want the stadium to be a great pressure cooker tomorrow,” Laporta said (h/t FCB World) heading into the game.

Although Barcelona would have ideally liked to play at Camp Nou, the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is expected to be jam-packed tomorrow.

Urging the fans to get behind the team, Laporta said, “We have to go and shout, these players deserve everything. We believe in them and have every confidence in them and they are on their way to making history. Now we are on our way to do it as we did when we won the last league.”

Laporta wants the stadium buzzing tomorrow (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

“They are aware, they know that they must give everything. They have, but we, the fans, must help them,” he added.

Joan Laporta on Xavi’s continuity

Apart from the upcoming game against PSG, Laporta also addressed questions regarding the future of Xavi Hernandez.

Although the Spaniard had announced his desire to leave Camp Nou at the end of the season, there is still a possibility he might reverse his decision.

Laporta, though, preferred not to raise this topic, especially heading into such an important game.

“We will discuss this issue at the end of the season. He is in very good condition and I understand that everything is open and everything is subject to review. I understood that there were circumstances that led him to do what he did but we will talk at the end of the season. There is time to talk about that,” he said.

Despite Laporta’s lack of clarity, there is indeed a sense that the next two games could determine whether or not Xavi would continue at Barcelona.

Laporta, in fact, went on to praise the Barça coach, stating, “This team that Xavi built and which made us happy last season by winning the historic league because of the way it won it is now in the best condition, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and alive in the league.”

“If they give everything they have, which they will, and play with the talent they have, we will be in the semi-finals,” he added.