Xavi: "It will be a fast-paced duel of a very high level, but it's not from 'Champions'"

"United have a lot of things and they can easily complicate the tie for us"

BARCELONA, 15 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The coach of FC Barcelona, ​​Xavi Hernández, acknowledged that despite considering it a "very high level" duel, the Europa League Play-off clash against Manchester United will not be "Champions level" because neither neither his team nor the 'red devils' did merit to continue in the top-level competition, although he assured that they will fight with humility to win this Europa League that has been "tough and beautiful".

"Saying that is unfair because we are in the Europa League and neither one nor the other has earned it to be in the 'Champions'. But United have been growing, they are a very strong Manchester and it was time to see them like this. It will be a hectic tie, of a very high level, although it cannot be said that it is from 'Champions'", he stated at a press conference.

For the first leg of these 'Play-offs', equivalent to the round of 32, expect a match "of great intensity and rhythm" at the Spotify Camp Nou. "The Premier League teams are physically demanding and this is Europe and we want to show that we have the level to compete in Europe, even if it's in the Europa League. But it's against a top-level European rival," he reiterated.

According to Xavi, it is another challenge that does not have extra pressure. "These are challenges that come up, and every week there is that 'you risk it' thing. This is Barça, we take it with great enthusiasm, with euphoria in some way from the environment that is very good for us, with excited people, "But we're going cautiously and with the desire to go far in the competition. But we don't notice extra pressure than the normal one of being Barça", he explained.

In addition, he believes that the tie will be decided in Manchester and not in Barcelona. "Except for me as a surprise, a lot will be decided at Old Trafford. Somehow I visualize two very close matches with tight scores. It's a tie and few things will be decided tomorrow. The pity is that we won't play the second leg at home but that's what we have won," he lamented.

He also does not believe that the top favorite to win the competition will come out of this cross. "I don't think we are favourites, Manchester United either. There are very good teams and it seems to me a very tough Europa League and difficult to achieve. It has been beautiful, difficult, and we are going to compete. We are excited to win and get through the tie ", he interpreted.

He would like to be in a position to win the 'Champions', but a bad group stage meant Bayern and Inter went through. "Now we can't go back. When you think about it, maybe things would have changed at the tactical or player level. But we weren't at the level of the 'Champions', without more", he commented.

"We were not at the level in Europe and tomorrow we want to compete in the best possible way in these competitions. Show that we arrived at a good time, that we are aggressive and with an increasingly better defensive line. It is an important test to show that we can compete in Europe ", he added.

In addition, he believes that Ten Hag's United also arrives, like Barça, at its best. "It's a 'great game', a spectacular tie for the fans. Both teams arrived at the best moment of the season. Ten Hag has changed the face of the team, it was difficult at first but they are doing a very good job. They have a lot of things and they can easily complicate the tie for us", he reiterated.

On the other hand, he assured that he should not convince anyone other than his footballers, managers and fans about the team's game. "They are doing it well, it was difficult because it was a change in the game model. But we have grown a lot. I have to convince the footballers, the leaders and the partners and supporters. And in that I see that we are all very well aligned", he celebrated .