Xavi Hernandez: Barcelona Boss Insists PSG Are Still Favourites Despite Silencing French Giants 3:2

• FC Barcelona staged a spirited comeback to secure a 3-2 win at PSG
• The Catalan giants now hold a slight advantage heading into the 2nd leg
• But head coach, Xavi Hernandez, thinks otherwise, despite his side leading

Xavi Hernandez reckons that FC Barcelona are still underdogs despite beating Paris Saint-Germain to claim a first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarterfinal tie.

Xavi, who will leave his post as Barcelona boss at the end of the season, produced a tactical masterclass to stifle PSG in Paris, winning 3-2.

Brazilian winger Raphinha broke the deadlock seven minutes after the half-hour mark before Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha notched two quickfire goals in the second half to turn the tide in favour of the home side.

But the Catalan giants had other ideas, getting back on level terms in the 62nd minute through Raphinha before substitute, Andreas Christensen, climbed off the bench to score the winner with a bullet header, per Sky Sports.

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Xavi insists PSG are favourites despite loss

While the result gives La Blaugrana a slight advantage going into the second leg next Tuesday, Xavi is adamant that his side should not be considered favourites.

“I believe that PSG remain the favourites,” he said in his post-match presser, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

However, the 44-year-old was delighted with his team's performance, as they beat one of the 'best sides' in the world in their own backyard.

“We’ve just tightened the gap because we’ve been solid defensively. I’m very proud because it was a great victory against one of the best teams in the world. We are halfway there.”

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Ousmane Dembele, who traded the Catalan giants for Les Parisiens last summer, unleashed a shot from an improbable angle, symbolically notching his inaugural goal of the calendar year.

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As the ball found the net, the 2022 World Cup runner-up with France joyously celebrated, arms outstretched, shedding any prior allegiance to Barcelona.

Nonetheless, as reported by Sports Brief, Andreas Christensen clinched the victory for Barca in the 77th minute. With his first touch, he propelled a header into the goal after Raphinha's levelling goal.