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MADRID (AP) — A win against Porto will be enough to put Barcelona back in the knockout rounds of the Champions League after two consecutive group-stage eliminations.
It may not be enough, though, to ease the pressure on coach Xavi Hernández, who has struggled to get his team to play well recently.
Barcelona is coming off a stretch that includes a 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in its last Champions League game, and a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano in its previous Spanish league match. The team has even produced lackluster performances when winning recent matches.
“Things did not go as expected lately,” Xavi said Monday. “Against Rayo it was better, but we have lacked continuity. Tomorrow is a great opportunity for us. It can be a turning point. I really believe we will be playing better again. If I didn't, I wouldn't even be here."
Barcelona will advance with a win, or with a draw if Shakhtar doesn’t beat Antwerp in the other Group H match on Tuesday. The Catalan club failed to reach the knockout stage in the two seasons after Lionel Messi left the club.
“There's always pressure at Barça,” Xavi said. “It's always been like this and that won't change. You have to win at this club.”
Xavi said he feels the full support from the club despite the recent struggles. “We all believe in the project and there is total trust,” he said.
Barcelona has the same nine points as second-placed Porto, which is coming off a win against last-placed Antwerp. Shakhtar is third with six points.
“We will be up against a highly technical team, with a coach in Xavi who has plenty of experience in this competition," Porto coach Sérgio Conceição said. “A victory would mean a great night for us, and we will need to be at our absolute best. There is always pressure, but we can use that pressure in a positive manner.”
Xavi could be without Marc-André ter Stegen because of a back injury. The goalkeeper did not practice with the rest of the group in training on Monday and is doubtful for Tuesday's match.
“He will undergo tests before the match to check on the pain and see if he is 100% to play,” Xavi said.
The coach was certain to be without Gavi after the young playmaker sustained a serious knee injury while on duty with Spain.
Xavi was not expected to rest anybody against Porto even though Barcelona at the weekend hosts Atletico Madrid in a match that could be crucial in the Spanish league.
“In the last few matches we haven’t played how we wanted,” Barcelona defender João Cancelo said. “We have a chance now to play well and gain some confidence going forward.”
- Tallest Azzoni
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