Luis Enrique defeated Xavi in a technical duel against ADN Barcelona in the Champions League
It has become one of the main attractions UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. A special duel between Coaches of Barcelona and PSG. Xavi vs Luis Enrique in a spectacular confrontation between technicians trained at the Barcelona school. A match that moved from the playing field to the microphones. And the coach of the French national team won.
The preview of this series took place in the heat of performances, especially from Luis Enrique. At the press conference before the first match, he was asked: “Who better represents the values of Barcelona, Luis Enrique or Xavi?”
“Without a doubt I am”Luis Enrique replied and added: “Look at the data and titles, possession of the ball, high blood pressure… Without a doubt, me, although there are people who think differently. This is not negotiable, this is data. I’m sorry I punctured the balloon, but I don’t know Xavi as a coach, I only know him as a player, I know him as just another fan. I know the club very well, but I don’t know if this is an advantage or a disadvantage. “This is a special game for me,” the PSG coach said to spark debate in Barcelona between the last Champions League champion coach and his current coach, captain of the European champions.
Xavi didn’t dodge the question, but avoided controversy when it was his turn to jump into the press room. He instantly understood his former coach’s strategy. “I saw him, it’s Luis Enrique. You already know him, so do I.”he claimed.
“I have a very good relationship with him. I respect him and he is one of the best coaches in the world. He has a team that will win the Champions League, or at least that’s the goal. very difficult opponent. We’re both looking for the same thing. We both can boast of this DNA, as well as Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta. “We are four coaches with the DNA of Barça in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” said Xavi, turning, like a magic pass, Barcelona’s internal divisions into a source of pride for all the culés.
Did this series explore the historical values of Barcelona? Maybe not right away, but it’s clear that Both teams were brave and played on the attack. both in Paris and in Catalonia. Luis Enrique reached the semi-finals, but it cannot be said that he greatly surpassed his opponent.
After PSG’s 4-1 win in Barcelona Luis Enrique praised Xavi and called him “the ideal coach for Barcelona.”at the same time, he expressed his desire to continue working in the culé club.
In its turn, Xavi regretted the relegation and prioritized the removal of Ronald Araujo.: “I like to play eleven against eleven every minute. We know there are exceptions in football, but there is no need for that.”
Not knowing what his opponent said (or perhaps even said), Luis Enrique also spoke about the Reds’ performance: “It’s not for me to judge. For some, exile is obvious, for others it is not; football is like that. “I try not to put myself in the referee’s shoes, protest little or nothing, and give my players peace of mind so they can deal with the emotions that are underneath the surface in these games.”
Aside from the diatribes in the press rooms, it’s clear that this was a special series for both coaches. Luis Enrique emerged victorious and will now be the standard bearer of the “Barcelona DNA”. in the semi-finals of the Champions League.