PSG 'favourites' in Champions League clash: Barca coach Xavi / Photo: Josep LAGO - AFP
-
Carrefour shares plunge after profit warning on French protests
-
Rising UK inflation, debt knocks govt ahead of budget
-
North Korea says 'new firepower units' in place after border threat
-
UK govt approves drilling in controversial Jackdaw gas field
-
Australia lawmaker loses both legs after 'targeted' attack
-
US envoy to meet Putin after 'positive' talks with Zelensky
-
Director Nick Paley channels childhood fears in new thriller 'Phony'
-
UK govt approves drilling in Jackdaw gas field
-
'Daily struggle': Cubans dig wells in search of water
-
Rome hospital taps culture to help heal cancer patients
-
Prized wild pepper at risk in Madagascar's shrinking forests
-
'Media capture': Serbian journalists squeezed before vote
-
World falling 'dangerously short' on climate action: UN chief
-
US envoy to meet Russia's president after 'positive' talks with Zelensky
-
LeBron, Sixers spoil Knicks party, Thunder top Spurs as NBA season tips off
-
South Korea launches new bid to guide crowd-pulling shark to sea
-
Sooryavanshi told to be patient by captain Iyer ahead of NZ series
-
US envoy to meet Russia's president after 'productive' talks with Zelensky
-
Man in court over alleged 'targeted' attack on Australia lawmaker
-
LeBron optimistic after launching Sixers era with win
-
As actors get more physical, Bollywood embraces intimacy coordinators
-
Fear as Indians struggle to prove voting rights
-
Brazil's presidential candidates seek to disqualify each other
-
Asian stocks rally as tech firms enjoy bounce ahead of key earnings
-
French PM to meet unions as government prepares for more protests
-
LeBron, Sixers spoil Knicks party as NBA season tips off
-
'To the shelter, quickly!' Air raids reshape Kyiv school life
-
Man in court over alleged 'targeted' attack on Australian lawmaker
-
'Leave us alone!' DC golfers fear worst over Trump's course remodel
-
Regulator has 'power' to force Man City sale
-
NFL players union wants probe into Hurts' medical care
-
Man allegedly behind 'targeted' attack on Australian lawmaker appears in court
-
Press Release QNX Research Finds Automotive Developers Spend More than a Third of Their Time on Software "Plumbing" Slowing SDV Innovation
-
Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Warrant Exercise
-
Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Strengthening of Senior Management Team
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - October 21
-
Man allegedly behind 'targeted' attack on Australian lawmaker due in court
-
Musk backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as rocket firm turns profit
-
Netflix shares drop on slowing engagement, revenue growth
-
Zelensky, US hail 'productive' talks to end Trump feud
-
Rodri needed a rest for Barcelona ahead of Clasico, says Flick
-
'Unbelievable' Foden back in the groove with treble in Man City rout
-
Musk says backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as rocket firm turns profit
-
Pistons rally to beat Celtics in NBA 2026-27 season opener
-
US regulators certify Boeing 737 MAX 10 after delays
-
PSG late show downs Barca in Champions League, Liverpool fight back
-
PSG strike late to get better of Yamal and Barcelona in Champions League
-
Liverpool strike back to beat Villarreal in seven-goal thriller
-
Foden hat-trick fuels Man City rout of AEK Athens
-
Dow boosted as markets rotate from tech shares
PSG 'favourites' in Champions League clash: Barca coach Xavi
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said Saturday Paris Saint-Germain were the favourites in their upcoming Champions League quarter-final tussle.
The Catalans, five-time winners of the competition, face former coach Luis Enrique's French champions, but although PSG are still looking to win the trophy for the first time, Xavi believes they are the stronger side.
"I'd give them the favourites tag -- we have won more Champions Leagues, but the economic situation they are in, signing players (compared to) what we can spend, it's not the same situation," Xavi told a news conference.
"They won't beat us on hope, desire, and dreaming though, we watched the draw together and the players are positive and looking forward to competing.
"We have to show it on the pitch -- it's easy to talk and then do nothing -- we must speak on the pitch, and show our talent and worth there."
Led by a rampant Kylian Mbappe, PSG cruised to a 5-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the 2020-21 season at the last 16 stage.
However, Luis Enrique's Barcelona recorded an historic comeback victory to beat PSG 6-1 at Camp Nou in the 2016-17 season, after a 4-0 away defeat, to reach the quarter-finals.
Xavi hailed now PSG coach Luis Enrique, who led the Catalans to the trophy in 2015, the last time the Spanish champions conquered Europe.
"It's so hard, they are one of the toughest teams we could have drawn," said Xavi.
"I know Luis Enrique and his staff very well, he is a brilliant coach, and they work very well... but I have confidence and hope.
"We've drawn one of the hardest opponents but having the second leg at home is positive for us."
The Spanish champions travel to Paris for the first leg on April 10, with the second leg at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on April 16.
This weekend Barcelona, third, visit fourth-place Atletico Madrid in La Liga, looking to extend the six-point gap.
Diego Simeone's side beat Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on penalties on Wednesday also to reach the quarter-finals, where they face Borussia Dortmund.
"We're arriving well, but they are in high confidence too," said Xavi.
"They are a Champions League level team; they showed it the other day and it's even more true in front of their fans."
O.Norris--AMWN