FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has already started devising a plan to stop Paris Saint-Germain’s star attacker Kylian Mbappe in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final, reported SPORT.
Barcelona defeated Napoli in their round of 16 match to qualify for the quarters for the first time since 2020, when they suffered the infamous 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich.
With the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, PSG is not as strong as it was in the past but they still have the likes of Mbappe, former Barcelona striker Ousmane Dembele and Marco Asensio, a front-line that is capable of breaking any defense.
Xavi is aware of the threat the PSG attack poses, but the Spaniard’s main focus is to stop Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick against the Catalan giants during their last meeting in the Champions League.
As per SPORT, Xavi is torn who to play as right-back between Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo to stop Mbappe as the Frenchman operates from the left flank.
Xavi has used Araujo in the past to stop Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., and he may opt for that strategy once again to neutralise the Mbappe threat.
As of now, everything indicates that Xavi will use the backline of Kounde, Araujo, Pau Cubarsi and Joao Cancelo against PSG.
Meanwhile, in midfield, the idea is to field Frenkie de Jong alongside Ilkay Gundogan as the Dutchman has been recovering from his sprained ankle and will be fit to play against PSG.
Remember, during a press conference earlier, Xavi insisted that the match against PSG would be very tough as they are not just an excellent team but are also managed by top coach Luis Enrique.
“Very difficult, one of the most difficult opponents we could have faced. I know Luis Enrique and his staff, how they work. I have confidence and enthusiasm. We face one of the most difficult rivals, although we have the return leg at home. It’s time to dream,” Xavi explained.
“Maybe yes, I don’t like the indulgent thing. Maybe I would give the role of the favourite to PSG, beyond history because we have more Champions Leagues.”
