Xavi picks Porto as the team Barcelona hopes to avoid in Champions League knockout stages

Barcelona’s manager, Xavi Hernandez, has singled out FC Porto as the team he would prefer his side not to face in the Champions League knockout stages. Following Barcelona’s recent 2-1 victory over Porto in the UEFA Champions League group stage, Xavi acknowledged the prowess of the Portuguese giants, labeling them a “great team.”

Expressing his sentiments in a post-match press conference, Xavi stated, “Porto. I would not like to play them again this season. They are a great team.” This declaration comes after Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League knockout stage with a commanding performance.

As the La Liga champions top Group H with 12 points from five matches, they have already demonstrated their strength in the group stage. The victory over Porto further solidified their standing ahead of other contenders such as Shakhtar and Antwerp. With Barcelona’s eye on progressing further in the competition, Xavi’s acknowledgment of Porto’s strength adds an intriguing element to potential matchups in the upcoming knockout stages.