Barcelona coach Xavi accepts their clash at Galatasaray is a “final”.
Barcelona have to win in Turkey if they want to reach the quarterfinal of the Europa League after a goalless draw against Galatasaray in the first leg at Camp Nou last week.
“It’s a final,” coach Xavi said. “We cannot slip up, it’s all or nothing. We need more intensity than the first leg. I did not like the first half. We were better in the second half but not clinical.
“Against Osasuna, we killed the game off early because we had intensity and quick ball circulation and it needs to be the same tomorrow.
“We didn’t do our homework last week and now we have to win away at a tough stadium, with fans that really support the team, some of the best in Europe. It’s the same situation as against Napoli.”
On the pressure of having to get a result, Xavi said: “I like it. I am competitive, a winner. So are the players. These are the situations we like. It’s an opportunity. We came out of that Napoli game strengthened and we can do the same now.”
The Barça coach also considers the Europa League important to “solidify” the project being built at the club.
“The main objective to be back in Champions League but this is a European competition and we want to show we can compete in Europe,” he said. “The Europa League is a great competition.”
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