Barcelona began their UEFA titleholders League trip with a bang as they thrashed Viktoria Plzen 5- 1 in their opening institution at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Franck Kessie opened the scoring on his UCL debut for the Blaugrana before fellow new signing Robert Lewandowski doubled the lead. While the guests did pull a thing back near half-time, Barça reinstated their two-thing cushion beats subsequently through Lewandowski’s second.
A little over twenty beats into the alternate half, the Poland captain completed his headpiece- trick to make it 4- 1. Substitute Ferran Torres added the icing on the croquette with the fifth thing. It was a stunning display from Barcelona and the result was nothing short of what they earned.
Speaking after the game, director Xavi Hernandez ran out of words to praise his star striker Lewandowski.
“ Lewandowski is inextinguishable. headpiece- trick for Lewandowski moment. But not only that, he plays and he makes the team play. He knows the third man and reads space to perfection. I’m in love. His signing was fantastic, ” he said.
“ We noway had any uncertainties with the signing of Lewandowski. We knew his capacities, his modesty, and he'd a great desire to subscribe for Barcelona. He’s a marvelous person and professional, really, ” he subsequently added in the press conference.
Xavi claimed that Lewandowski was the swish striker for Barcelona and counted him among the three swishes in the game presently, along with two other players, saying
“ I don’t know if Lewandowski is the swish striker in Europe, but he's the swish striker for us, ” he said, before adding, “ Lewandowski who else? Benzema too. I suppose they’re the swish right? Haaland too. But it’s delicate to compare them. ”
The Barcelona director also hailed Ousmane Dembele, who put in an atrocious performance indeed though he wasn't among the pretensions.
“ Dembele is in excellent form. He’s happy. He’s enjoying himself, and he’s truly important to me. He assists and he scores. He’s like a dagger, and we've to take advantage of that. ”
Xavi indeed went on to compare Dembele to Neymar, saying “ Dembele is at the same position as the swish Neymar. He'd suffered a lot in his first times also, but I always said it. He has great capacities, and he deserves everything that's passed to him.
“ There are no wingers in the world that can cut outdoors to both sides as Dembele can. I had no way seen a player with his capability to tittle 1v1. You infrequently find players like that. Trust me, he’s an amazing player. ”
The 42- time-old was also impressed by the performances of the backups on the night. “ I liked the performance of the backups. They did truly well. Ferran, Memphis, Pablo Torre, Piqué, and Gavi were all truly good, ” he stated.
The director also claimed that Barcelona is still dealing with the departure of Lionel Messi but has set up players who can take the club back to greatness.
“ We won’t get over the departure of Messi because he's the swish player in history. still, now other players are destined to make history, but it won’t be easy. ”
On the impact of Ferran Torres from the bench, Xavi said “ Ferran came back with a bang. ”
Talking about Jules Koundé, who started in his natural center-posterior part against Plzen, he said “ I see Koundé as a center- reverse, but he can play anywhere across the defensive line because he’s an exceptional player. ”
The director also claimed that he was thrilled about the budding cooperation between Lewandowski and Pedri. still, he also had some advice for the ultimate to ameliorate his game.
“ The cooperation between Lewandowski and Pedri is truly provocative. Pedri still has to lose possession less constantly and meliorate his final pass, but he's fantastic, ” he blurted.
While he wasn't shy about doling out praises, Xavi also admitted that he wasn't happy with the thing Barcelona conceded. “ I’m bothered by the thing we conceded. We were superior and the result shows that. We conceded a thing due to our mistake. We've to meliorate these crimes, ” he said.
farther talking about the result, he said “ Good launch for us, but we have a long road ahead. It’s hard to illuminate commodity moments, but I’ll say that our intensity. Everything was done well, and the understanding of the match was good. ”
still, you’re further near to winning than losing, ” Xavi added, “ If you shoot 20 times in one match.
With four triumphs in four games in a row in all competitions, the atmosphere around Spotify Camp Nou is electric. still, Xavi urged that the team still has a long way to go before they're truly back.
“ It’s too early to say that Barcelona is back. These are only three points in the end, ” he said.
“ It’s a necessary win because triumphs always give morale and confidence. The Culés will wake up happy, but I reiterate that they're only three points. I join this swoon but with caution, calm, and with all the modesty in the world, ” he said.
Hailing the atmosphere at the stadium, Xavi added “ The Camp Nou felt like a big concert tonight. The cult was sincere. We've to leave our soul on the pitch. ”
Barcelona’s coming titleholders League will see them take on old foes Bayern Munich. still, Xavi claimed that the attention will be on the La Liga discord against Cadiz first. “ We've to concentrate on Cadiz first, also on Bayern. We've to suppose three points at a time. ”