On Wednesday, Xavi Hernandez will face Luis Enrique for the first time as manager. The pair enjoyed a highly successful spell together in 2014-15, when Barcelona won a famous treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League – on that occasion, Lucho was head coach, with Xavi as captain.
There is a lot of mutual respect between the pair, though Luis Enrique couldn't resist saying that his Paris Saint-Germain team fit more into “Barcelona's DNA” than Xavi's.. The latter responded to this during his own press conference on Tuesday, during which he stated that they are both very similar, as per AS Diary.
“I saw the comments. It's just Luis Enrique. I think you know how it is. I have all the respect in the world (for him). He has a team that is ready to win the Champions League and that's the intention. We're both looking for the the same thing. We can boast that Luis Enrique, Guardiola, Arteta and we have the DNA of Barça. Tomorrow we will look for the same thing: to dominate possession.
“I don't see it as a duel between him and me. The players are the real protagonists. I already said that we are both looking for the same thing, don't look because there is no more controversy.
Xavi also commented on that season he shared with Lucho in 2014-15.
“It was difficult at the beginning, but we finished with the treble and lifting the Champions League, with me as captain. There was a very good relationship between captain and coach, and I remember it with pride.
It should be a very interesting tactical battle when Luis Enrique and Xavi meet over these next two games between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. On paper, they seem relatively level, so the coaches could be the determining factor.
