Barcelona coach Xavi declared that Aussie fans would be watching a resurgent side in the May 25 clash with the A-Leagues All-Stars.
A late Jordi Alba stunner sealed Barcelona’s Champions League berth for next season via a 2-1 win at Real Betis, underscoring a stunning transformation since Xavi’s arrival last November.
The Xavi-led revolution is in full swing. Since replacing Ronald Koeman with the team sitting ninth, Barca has picked up a point more than than El Clasico rivals Real Madrid over the same period.
But the Catalans’ fire is burning, after watching Real claim the La Liga crown and seal a dramatic late semi-final win over a Manchester City side led by Barca great Pep Guardiola, in the space of a week.
Xavi, who will lead Barcelona against the Dwight Yorke-led A-Leagues All-Stars, told Aussie fans to expect an “improved” Barca when thy clash at Accor Stadium.
CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTES
“We’ve improved a lot since I took the team in November. We’ve played many, many games very well. We’ve got very good results against very big teams, so we’ve improved,” Xavi said.
“This is a project, this is a process. And at least we need to qualify next season in the Champions League, being in the first four.
“We are working hard and I think we are in a good way. I am a positive guy, but I think and I have to believe that we are in a good way.”
Defender Eric Garcia, who was at La Masia for nine years before departing to Manchester City and this season returning, said the turnaround was profound.
“Massive (impact). He’s a legend of the club. He’s a legend of the club, came here, we were in a tough position in the league and we’ve changed the situation completely,” Garcia said.
“Even (We were) fighting for the league at some points. We did lose it ourselves, losing the last few game at home.
“We’ve changed massively and it’s good to finish the season on a high and next season will be really interesting.
“It will be a really interesting season. It the last 2-3 months, the team has grown massively.”
Xavi made 767 appearances for Barca between 1998 and 2015, winning 25 trophies with them in that time including four Champions League titles.
“All players who have played have improved since November. The majority of players have improved in their understanding of what we want from them and in my motto and they’ve been very productive,” Xavi said.
“The Barca crest, shield weighs heavier than others because there’s a lot of pressure at this club. Because we want to win and play well. Barca fans are very demanding.
“I’ve seen other players that have played in big clubs and come here and they couldn’t produce the same level they did before. That’s Barca, we want to look for the excellence. The coaches are also demanding, and that’s what the Barca shirt, it’s heavier than those of other clubs.
“Maybe in November we would have lost this (Betis) game, or conceded another goal, but we were able to take the lead twice
“We’ve beaten the top 10 in La Liga, in this second round of games, despite a few poor results against Cadiz and Rayo. That’s why we are competing near the top. We still need to improve but we have been able to be a competitive side.”
Another 15 players will then be chosen by Yorke and his assistants, and another two by A-League Commissioner Greg O’Rourke, ensuring that every club is represented and that no club has more than five players in the 30 that is announced on May 19. Those selections are not limited to the 65 names on the shortlist.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE CLASH HERE
