Spain coach Xavi praised Barca for showing a winning mentality when they came from behind to beat Porto 2-1 to advance to the Champions League group stage for the first time in 2 years.
The win keeps Barca at the top of Group H with 12 points, with Shakhtar and Porto both on nine, while Antwerp have none. The Catalan club are certain of progressing, as Shakhtar and Porto will face each other in the final round. Barca only need a point at Antwerp on December 13 to finish top of the group.
Thanks to that, coach Xavi brought Barca through the Champions League group stage for the first time. In the 2021-2022 season, Barca finished third in the group stage and had to play in the Europa League - where they lost 3-4 on aggregate to Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals. A similar scenario happened last season, when Barca continued to finish third in the group stage, then lost 3-4 to Man Utd in the Europa League play-off.
"We needed this ticket to the next round after two years," Xavi said after the win over Porto. "It's an important step in the right direction. It means a lot to the club. It's the first objective we've achieved in the Champions League. It calms us down and boosts our confidence, especially for the players."
Coach Xavi directs Barca's 2-1 win over Porto in Group H of the Champions League on November 28. Photo: AFP
At the Olympic Stadium - Barca's home ground this season while Camp Nou is being renovated - on November 28, Xavi's team faced many difficulties when Porto took the lead thanks to Pepe in the 26th minute. This was the fourth consecutive time Barca conceded the first goal in all competitions. In the previous three matches, the Catalan club drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano, beat Alaves 2-1 in La Liga and lost 0-1 to Shakhtar in the Champions League.
But Barca came from behind to win on the day Portuguese duo Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix shone. In the 32nd minute, Cancelo dribbled from the left wing into the penalty area, eliminated Joao Mario and curled the ball into the far corner to equalize. In the second half, the defender crossed for Felix to tap in from close range to make it 2-1.
Xavi praised Barca for a good match, reacting well to quickly equalise and showing a winning mentality. The Spanish coach considered the free-kick Cancelo key to the victory. He also praised reserve goalkeeper Inaki Pena for an extraordinary performance in replacing the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Xavi admitted that the win over Porto and qualification to the Champions League round of 16 will not erase the doubts that have been raised about Barca's performance since the start of the season. "Problems are never solved at Barca," the 43-year-old coach said with a laugh. "But today is a day to celebrate without worrying about what lies ahead."
When asked which club he did not want to face in the knockout stages, Xavi surprisingly chose Porto, despite Barca winning both legs in the group stage. "I do not want to face Porto again this season. They are a great club," he explained.
Xavi ended his press conference by demanding that the team do better in providing the ball and finding Robert Lewandowski in dangerous areas. The Polish striker has been in a slump with just one goal in four Champions League games. "We have to create more chances for Lewandowski," Xavi said.
On December 3, Barca continues to have another difficult match at the Olympic Stadium when hosting Atletico Madrid in round 15 of La Liga.
Hong Duy
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