Champions League: Xavi still sees PSG as favourite for semi as Mbappe goes missing

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez noted that his team is halfway through to the Champions League semifinals after beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in a last-four first leg on Wednesday.

That being said, however, the Catalan still sees the Ligue 1 giants as the favourite in the tie, ahead of a return fixture which will be played at the Montjuic Stadium next Tuesday.

"It's a moment to be proud of, a great win against one of the best teams in the world. We're halfway there, but it's going to be very difficult in Barcelona," stressed Xavi, who said that as "just another Barca fan" he was "proud".

"But it's not over," he further warned.

Talking about the match itself, in which Barca went 1-0 ahead before trailing 2-1 and then launching a remontada comeback in the second half, Xavi claimed that "everything went well".

 "I would highlight the defensive work, they [the defence] understood it very well. We had to match that square that PSG made, but they also equalised with individual duels".

Though the Pole didn't score, amid a brace from MVP Raphinha and a headed winner delivered by Andreas Christensen, Xavi singled Robert Lewandowski out for how well he held the ball up.

As for the team on the whole, though, it was commended for showing "personality in the face of difficulties".

"It's very difficult to resist the pressure against PSG," Xavi said.

"We had days to work on it and the team played a great game both in defence and attack. It's a game to be proud of. Even if we are closer to the semis, the favorite is still Paris.

 "But we've indeed minimized them, we've forced them to go on the outside, closing lines on the inside. I think we stopped PSG very well, not just [Kylian] Mbappe. The defensive work has made the difference," Xavi reiterated.

Though Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo also played their part, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi has been credited with nullifying Mbappe.

Xavi explained how he is running out of praise for the center back, who is wise beyond his years.

"One of the things that makes me proud is that we are competing with teenagers," he beamed.

As for making the last four where either Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund await, Xavi revealed that his players "believe it".

"Playing like this we will have a chance. It will be very difficult, but it's a great result to say that Barcelona is alive," he concluded