Ex-FC Barcelona boss Luis Enrique took what could be perceived as a dig at his former captain Xavi … [+]
Ex-FC Barcelona boss Luis Enrique took what could be perceived as a dig at his former captain Xavi Hernandez when saying that he represents Barca’s ‘style’ better than the Catalan ahead of the two men meeting in opposing Champions League dugouts on Wednesday.
Luis Enrique oversaw Barca’s last triumph in the elite competition with Xavi his skipper as the Blaugrana beat Juventus in the 2014/2015 final.
This season, the two men will face off in the UCL quarterfinals while La Masia product Xavi looks to eliminate Luis Enrique’s current employers Paris Saint-Germain.
Luis Enrique has already said he is “convinced” the Ligue 1 leaders will come out on top, and continued his mind games in a pre-match press conference.
Asked who better represents Barca’s style of play between him and Xavi, Luis Enrique answered: “Without a doubt, me.”
“Look at the possession data, titles, [playing] at high pressure. Look at the data. It’s not an opinion, it’s numbers, data. It’s not up for debate,” he insisted.
Asked what worries him the most about Barca, Luis Enrique wouldn’t reveal “the weak point”.
“It’s a Barca team with a good dynamic, [which is] on a roll with top individual level players and experience. They have won five Champions Leagues.
“It will be a difficult but stimulating match. [We are] clubs with a rivalry that I hope will be healthy in both stadiums. I hope to see two good football matches,” he said.
Numerous Barca players are just one yellow card away from missing the return leg at the Montjuic Stadium next Tuesday.
Probed on whether this can be “taken advantage of”, Luis Enrique pointed out that his team has some stars in a similar predicament as well.
“That doesn’t interest me much. In fact, I would like to play against the best Barca possible and I would have liked all the injured players to play, including Gavi,” he stressed, in a nod to the midfielder who, according to L’Equipe, PSG is attempting to sign amid holding talks with his entourage.
“My desire is to play against the opponent at their best,” Luis Enrique concluded.
