PSG-Barça, a special poster for Luis Enrique, former player and coach of FC Barcelona. Trained in Gijon and passed through the ranks of Real Madrid, it was within the Catalan house that he spent his best years, whether as a player or coach. He has imbued himself with the Barcelona DNA. So much so that he still defines himself today as a “socio culé”. “I love Barça, but I have to think about my work and the team that trusts me,” he swears at a press conference, on the eve of this quarter-final first leg of the Champions League, Wednesday (9 p.m.), in Paris. This is obviously also the case for his Barça counterpart, Xavi, raised on grain at Masia. But one of the two makes a better ambassador for Barcelona football and the Catalan game if we are to believe… Luis Enrique. A little sting slipped in with mischief which will get people talking in Spain and which will launch this shock.
Asked who, Xavi or himself, best represents the “Catalan footballing spirit” and the Barcelona philosophy, “Lucho” did not hesitate for a moment: “Without a doubt, it’s me. It’s my opinion. Look at the numbers, the ball possession percentage, the number of scoring chances, the pressure, the titles, the trophies… Without a doubt, it’s me. Seeing that his response created astonishment among some of our Spanish colleagues, the 53-year-old Asturian continued, all smiles, visibly pleased with himself: “Obviously, some people don’t think the same.”
Luis Enrique and Xavi know each other well. Very well even. And for good reason, the first was already at Barça when the second made his debut as a player. And Xavi played his last season in Catalan colors with Luis Enrique as coach. That is to say 132 matches shared as players, at Barça and in the selection, and 44 matches with Xavi on the pitch and Luis Enrique on the bench. In terms of track record, the one that Xavi plays is incomparable, with four Champions League crowns, eight King of Spain crowns and as many victories in the Copa del Rey. As a coach, advantage to Luis Enrique, winner of the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona, with the added bonus of two Spanish championship titles and three Copa del Rey crowns. PSG-Barça, Luis Enrique-Xavi, the match is on.
