Barcelona manager Xavi: ‘I believe that PSG remain the favourites.’

Barcelona take a slender advantage back to Catalunya after beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday. However, Xavi believes that PSG remain favourites for the tie. 

The pendulum swung back and forth as momentum shifted in an entertaining first leg. Raphinha opened the scoring before a quickfire double from Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha turned the game on its head. However, it was Barcelona who would have the last laugh. Raphinha got his second on the night to level the scores before Andreas Christensen’s header handed his side the victory. 

PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 2-3 Barcelona:

🇪🇸 Pau Cubarsí – 8
🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembélé – 6
🇧🇷 Lucas Beraldo – 2
🇮🇹 Gianluigi Donnarumma – 2https://t.co/YFjfY34MSI

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) April 10, 2024

History is very much against PSG. No French club has ever overturned a deficit after losing the first leg at home in the Champions League. However, Barcelona manager Xavi believes that PSG could buck that trend. “I believe that PSG remain the favourites,” he began, in a press conference attended by Get French Football News. 

He added, “We’ve just tightened the gap because defensively, we’ve been solid. I’m very proud because it was a great victory against one of the best teams in the world. We are only halfway there. The return leg in Barcelona will be very difficult.” 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle