Xavi Hernández Talks Champions League Ambition Ahead of Barcelona’s Debut vs Royal Antwerp
The Barcelona manager takes the stage to address the media on a Monday that carries heightened anticipation for the club. Joined by Oriol Romeu, Xavi spoke to reporters about the forthcoming clash with Royal Antwerp, a fixture that will mark Barcelona’s first appearance in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage. The briefing offered a clear window into the mood in the squad, the assessment of recent form, and the goals the team is aiming to achieve on the continental stage.
Facing questions from the press, Xavi laid out a pragmatic outlook for the season. He acknowledged the excitement around the team and its prospects but urged calm and focus. He underscored that advancing to the knockout rounds remains the minimum objective for the season, signaling that progress in Europe is non negotiable for a club with Barcelona’s standards. The coach stressed that while past campaigns saw different levels of competitiveness, this campaign requires both consistency and tangible results to translate ambition into progression. His message was straightforward: the squad intends to take a meaningful step forward and demonstrate real improvement in Europe this year.
Throughout the session, the former midfielder and current head coach offered insights into the tactical setup, the balance of experience and youth within the squad, and the importance of meeting the defending champions of European competition with a clear plan. He highlighted the value of consistency in performance, especially in the early stages of the group, and spoke about the need to convert moments of pressure into clear scoring opportunities. The discussion also touched on how the team plans to manage the demands of a demanding schedule, maintain sharpness, and sustain energy across a demanding calendar while prioritizing a style of play that aligns with Barcelona’s identity.
Romeu contributed thoughtful reflections on the squad’s approach to the upcoming fixture. He spoke about his own responsibilities on and off the pitch, the sense of unity within the locker room, and the expectations that come with participating in Europe’s premier club competition. The midfielder conveyed an understanding of the challenges ahead and expressed confidence in the collective ability to respond to them with courage and discipline. His perspective reinforced the notion that every match in the group stage matters and that consistency will be crucial to achieving the club’s goals this season.
Both leaders emphasized that the first match of the campaign is not just a test of execution but also a statement about the club’s intent. They conveyed that the squad is focusing on performance, not sentiment, and that the path to success will be paved by careful preparation, intelligent adjustments, and a relentless work ethic. The tone of the session reflected a balance between optimism and realism, with a clear commitment to competing at the highest level while remaining grounded in the realities of a long season and a challenging European schedule. The overarching message was simple: Barcelona aims to compete fiercely, to grow in performance month after month, and to demonstrate that the club remains a serious contender on the biggest stage in club football.
As the conversation concluded, both Xavi and Romeu left room for further discussion once the match against Royal Antwerp unfolds. They signaled their intent to measure progress in the first points earned, the pace of development within the group, and the way the team translates preparation into results on an international stage. The moment in Can Barça underscored a club poised to reassert its European identity with a clear plan and a resolve to take a meaningful leap forward this season.
Note: This summary captures the key themes and statements from the press briefing in the lead-up to the Champions League opener. (Goal)