Barcelona coach Xavi on Man Utd draw: We need to be proud; I want Raphinha to be angry

Football
17 Feb 2023 • 6:26 AM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

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Barcelona coach Xavi insists there's everything to play for after their 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the Nou Camp.

Xavi says they can be "proud" after the first-leg of their Europa League playoff.

Xavi said, "It was a really tough game, really difficult with a lot of intensity, passion, and rhythm. I think we have to be proud because we competed really well until the end. We could have won in the last two chances but we played today against a top team in Europe. I think Manchester United is coming back and today they showed the best version. We competed really well, we need to be proud. Now we need to compete well in Old Trafford.

"I think both teams are more or less in the same moment, in the same position that we are coming back. I say to Erik Ten Hag congratulations because his is doing very well, but they are Manchester United. Yes it can be a final, or semi-final or quarter-final in the future of Champions League but now we are in Europa League, we are coming back and today we show a very good performance from both teams."

On Raphinha's reaction to being substituted, he added: "That is normal, this is football. I say to the players that they have to be angry. That's normal, it is football. The problem is when they don't have attitude on the pitch and the attitude of Raphinha is amazing."