Barça need ‘magical night’ against Inter to revive campaign: Xavi

Barcelona, Spain, Oct 11 (EFE).- Barcelona will need a “magical night” to secure a much-needed win over Inter Milan at the Camp Nou and boost their chances of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League, head coach Xavi said Tuesday.

The Catalan giants host the Italians in a crunch clash desperately needing a victory to revive their European campaign after successive away defeats against Munich and Inter left them in third place in Group C.

“Tomorrow is a final for us,” Xavi said at a press conference. “We are in an uncomfortable situation after the defeats in Munich and Milan,” he said, adding that the team would need the crowd’s support more than ever.

Barça were beaten 1-0 last week at the San Siro, as Inter defended well in a low block and struck the LaLiga side on the counter on their way to victory.

“I think they will repeat the pattern of the first leg (…) it worked out very well for them with their goal and then we made mistakes and there were the refereeing controversies,” Xavi said.

But he insisted that those recent setbacks would not change their approach, promising to “go on the attack, we have to be intense. We have to be brave, we have no margin for error.”

Sitting alongside him, central midfielder Pedri said Xavi had highlighted the need to “move the ball very quickly” if they are to create space and unsettle Inter’s defense.

“It’s going to be difficult because Inter are going to get in behind with a lot of players and then come out on the counter,” Pedri said, who also said the players were treating the game as “a final”.

Barcelona are currently third in the group on three points, three behind Inter and six behind leaders Bayern Munich. EFE

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