Xavi Hernández: "Tomorrow is a final; I'd rather be a player than a coach"

"If we improve the game, we no longer have time to talk about the referees"

BARCELONA, 11 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The coach of FC Barcelona, ​​Xavi Hernández, recognized that this Wednesday's game against Inter Milan, on matchday four of the Champions League, will be "a final" that he would like to "play" as a footballer instead of facing it as coach.

"It would be a great disappointment, but we are going to try to think positive. It has been complicated for us, we are in an uncomfortable decision. We have emergencies, but tomorrow we have a final to try to fix it. I would like to be a player and play tomorrow, to have that feeling of make a difference, instead of training tomorrow", explained Xavi this Tuesday at the press conference prior to the crucial duel for second place in the continental group.

The Catalan team will return to the Spotify Camp Nou, where they will try to redeem themselves from their defeats in Munich and Milan, which keep them from the round of 16 ticket. "Tomorrow is transcendental for this competition. We haven't done our homework well. We're playing at home to get back together in the group. We're in an uncomfortable situation, but we'll give everything. We know the pressure we're under," he added.

"I see everything as an opportunity. We are going to face it in the best possible way. Being positive and with personality, there is no other option but to try to keep the three points at home. They are almost sixteenths in this sense," said the coach 'culé', who faces the match as a revenge against the Italians.

Precisely, Inter put Barcelona between the ropes last Wednesday, winning by the minimum with arbitration controversy included. "We had a logical outrage, but that's it. We have to think about playing football and doing it better. If we improve the game, we won't be able to talk about the referees anymore," he acknowledged.

The pending subject to get hooked on the fight for the 'Champions' goes through the offensive effectiveness. "It's the team's day, not just Robert [Lewandowski's]. We haven't played much with him in the last two games," Xavi admitted, so they will try to be closer to the Pole.

"In Munich we had a lot of chances, there was a matter of effectiveness. In Milan it was more difficult with a defense of five. We have to improve the inside game. In the end, Inter's system tells you, they closed inside and left us outside. That's why the bands received so much, we will try to attack from both sides, both inside and outside", settled the coach of the 'culé' team.

A confrontation in which Jules Koundé will not be available. "In principle, we won't have him tomorrow, except for a surprise. We'll see for the Clásico, I think he can make it. But it will depend on him. These are games that if you're not one hundred percent, it's better not to be," he said.

In front, Barça expects an Inter "very similar" to the one that was already able to beat them at the San Siro. "They are defensive, we will see the system we use, we have alternatives. We have to look like the Barça of the last 20-30 minutes in Milan. It is a final for us. We have no margin for error. With the help of the fans and we hope that be a magical night," he said.

"We will go on the attack, we will try to be brave. What concerns us in some way is to attack better. If we double something it will be in attack, not in defense. In the first half we did not understand the role of Raphinha and Marcos Alonso. We will vary something to attack better We have to be more aggressive and vertical. Only the three points are worth us," he stressed.

In this sense, the psychological aspect will be vital to not get on your nerves. "We have to be calm and we have 90 minutes to win the game, we don't need to score in the first minute, although it's better if it is like that," he said.