FC Barcelona are a side with massive ambitions attached to their name. A club full of people with ambitious goals and a collective progression in mind. However, it is also a club guilty of reminiscing too much when in reality it reflects upon them too little.
Europe’s premier competition, the UEFA Champions League, is an ambition of theirs that Barca has tried way too long to get to. Since 2015, the big-eared trophy has eluded the Catalan giants and Xavi will be among those hoping to change that.
The ‘ghosts’ of Europe
However, to truly do so, the coach believes a certain step is quite necessary. As highlighted by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Xavi Hernandez believes Barcelona must stop lingering on in regards to the past and stop reminiscing over ‘ghosts’ or previous defeats:
“In general, to make a reflection: we have to abandon all this now because it seems that we continue to see ghosts.”
The losses to the likes of Roma in 2018 or perhaps to Liverpool in 2019 are all considered to have tainted the motivations and aspirations of Barca. To overcome their current shortcomings, Xavi makes a clear point addressing these ‘ghosts’ and why it is integral to stop them from affecting the Barcelona of today.
Accomplished stars
He further went on to name several players associated with thoughts of past glory. Manchester City arrival Ilkay Gundogan for his recent treble with Manchester City, as well as the likes of Joao Cancelo, Robert Lewandowski, and Ter Stegen for their own triumphs and experience:
“There are people here who have won a lot, like Gundogan, who is the current winner of the Champions League. Cancelo, Ter Stegen, Lewandowski, we have more experience (in the team).”
A mixture of young and old
Xavi also made sure to mention 16-year-old Lamine Yamal when referring to the blend of experience and youth now present at Barcelona and how it only further improves the team:
“Young people with self-confidence like Lamine. It’s a good mix (with the veterans). So you have to leave all this (thinking of ‘ghosts’) to compete better and take a step forward.”
Within almost twelve hours from now, Barcelona are set to kick off against FC Porto. A match of two European giants, it will be a clash that truly tests Xavi and his men as they prepare themselves for matchday two of their UEFA Champions League group stage.
