FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.04.2009 18:22

“It’ll be an attractive and difficult tie”

David Puig

Xavi Hernandez believes that the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea will be as attractive as it will be difficult. However, the Barça midfielder believes that the team is in great shape to compete in all three competitions.

Xavi, speaking at the launch of his book “Mí vida es el Barça” (My life is Barça), said that the two matches against Chelsea would be exciting: “It’ll be an attractive and difficult tie and anything can happen. I think the small details will decide – the matches against Chelsea have always been very intense. It’ll be very important to keep a clean sheet in the first leg”.

A second opportunity

Xavi couldn’t play in the Paris final. He had only just recovered from a serious knee injury and was not fit enough to play such a demanding game. As such he admits that he’s looking forward to a second opportunity: “I’d like to win the final of the Champions League. I was on the bench in the Paris final and although I feel the win as my own, we all like to be involved in matches such as the final of the Champions League. It’s a thorn in my side and I’d like to pull it out”.

Team in fine form

The next few weeks will decide the fate of the team for the season. There are seven vital matches before the Spanish Cup Final on 13th May but Xavi is upbeat and believes the team is in good shape: “The team is in spectacular form both physically and mentally and is ready to face a really tough month and a half. I’m sure that all the teams will change for us. We have to round off what we’re doing with trophies and we are fighting to win all three competitions although I recognise that it’ll be very difficult”.

Laporta admits past Barça interest in Hiddink

Club president Joan Laporta also spoke to reporters about the CL semi-final and in particular about Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink: “I’ve always liked Guus Hiddink for his commitment. I remember when he was the manager of Valencia he had a Nazi flag removed from the terraces. He’s a trainer of the Dutch school and a lover of total football. We’ve always liked him. When we were negotiating with Rijkaard, Hiddink was coaching the Korean national team and was one of our options if Frank had said no to us”.