Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez sought to keep a lid on expectations as they prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday, with the Catalan club the clear favorite to win the trophy.
“It is very dangerous to relax and be complacent,” Xavi told reporters at Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday.
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“Comfort is unacceptable, it can’t happen. In today’s football everyone knows everything about their opponents, opponents are always ready. Value, intensity, desire to win. That’s all we need to be successful. If If you rest, the opponent can run over you.”
Xavi was careful what he said about Thursday’s opponents, who are currently ninth in the German Bundesliga and beat Real Betis 3-2 to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
“Intractions may be unknown in Spain, but they are a great team, I would highlight their transitions, when they can run they are very dangerous,” Xavi said.
“They’re a tough, complicated opponent. People just take it for granted that we’ll get to the semi-finals and that’s a far cry from it.
“He better finished Betis at several stages of the game. Gave Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund a tough time. It’s a shame he’s not famous in Spain and people underestimate him. It’s a landmark for him.” The game is there and we have to match the motivation that they have.”
Forward Ferran Torres concurred with his coach and said the team was focused on the task at hand.
“I see the whole locker room very inspired,” Torres said at a news conference.
“It’s a very important game for us. It’s the first time Barca are playing in this stadium and against Eintracht Frankfurt and there’s a lot of excitement in the group. They’re a very physical opponent who will do everything to stop us.” But we want to win.”
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