As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Barcelona coach Xavi: Girona are a Champions League-class team

Barcelona coach Xavi is excited facing Girona on Saturday night.

Both teams are fighting for second place on the table.

Xavi said: "(We face it) with all the excitement in the world. It is a vital game for us. Not definitive, but transcendent. They have sky-high confidence and it is time to congratulate Girona because they have made history.

"The season of Míchel and his players has been extraordinary. We play against a Champions level team this Saturday. Girona is looking for something very similar to what we are looking for, which is superiority from within. They have wingers, a high-level striker...

"There is the challenge of rematching the first round. I think we had to achieve more in that game. But we didn't defend our area well and they were very forceful. The revenge is as a team, not on a personal level. Girona has sky-high confidence and that, confidence, changes in the world of sport. It is not a personal challenge, but a football revenge.

"We were bad in defending against them. We didn't get it right. We have analysed these situations and we want to adjust it. But they can still hurt you. They master many facets of the game."

Video of the day:

Carlos Volcano
About the author

Carlos Volcano

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free