Barcelona must take a step forward in the Champions League

technician Barcelona player Xavi Hernández he commented that the Blaugrana “must take a step forward” in “Champions”after being eliminated in the group stage in the last two editions, and reminded that the Catalan entity has not won this competition since 2015.

The Spanish team is waiting for this Tuesday Royal Antwerp FC from Belgium in the debut of both teams in Champions League.

“It’s an illusion to be in this competition again, it’s time to make a step forward in the European competition and believe in it. We came at a good time, it’s the competition that will give us a step forward to be competitive,” he insisted.

Asked if the club is asking him to improve Europe or winning the ‘champion’, Xavi He admitted both things: “It’s proof. We have to improve, the goal is to reach the round of 16 and play well. What happened on Saturday (5-0 against Betis) is a demonstration. Then we’ll see. I hope we can be our best version.”

Making it to the round of 16 is the minimum goal. “Go to the qualifiers and then we’ll talk. Getting to the round of 16 is the goal, we haven’t achieved it in two years. We have to go step by step and try to go first in the group,” he explained.

commented Xavi that the team stepped up well and remembered that last year in the game in which they were good Europebut in results, no.

“We have a team in which we can compete Europe, “But this is about deeds, not words,” he insisted. Xaviwho stated that not only the team has to prove something, but also he as a coach.

“And I have to show it in every game. We all have extreme pressure and it’s a challenge to compete in this competition. Personally, I like the rest, I don’t play, but I have to convey enthusiasm to the players and they are very excited,” he insisted.

He described it as a “blessed problem” to decide the eleven between so many players in good form and does not believe that after two seasons in Europe, he Barcelona lost reputation and respect.

“I don’t notice. We have to deserve all that, especially at the media level, that’s why we have to take a step forward in this competition,” he agreed.

As for Antwerp, he reminded that it is about the current Belgian champion, a very dynamic opponent, strong on the wings and in the center, which has a good mix of veterans and young players.

“I also have great memories of his coach Mark van Bommel– with whom he played in Barça-, both as a teammate and when he was a rival. “He was a good colleague and friend,” he said.