Tuesday, 4th February, 2014



Barcelona midfielder Xavi has praised their Champions League opponents Atletico Madrid, but insists that his side will play their hearts out to win the tie at Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants will have a job on their hands against their domestic rivals after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou last week.



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For a team like Barcelona, who have a knack of winning trophies, Los Rojiblancos are going to be a serious proposition as they fight to make it to the semi-finals.

"It's a final, the match is a toss-up to see who wins", the 34-year-old was quoted as saying by Spanish daily Marca.

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"It's hard for us to create opportunities against Atletico; it'll be complicated. We are obliged to win, and that's something that goes in our favour.

"We will play our hearts out. In front of us we will face a team to be destroyed. We will try to score first and then see how they react."

Diego Simeone's men have been going through a dream run this season, currently leading the Spanish league with 79 points and could well be on their way to the semi-finals of the Champions League if they can even manage a goalless draw.

"Atletico are hard for us; we have never been a goal up against them, which is one of the keys to see what they do.

"Whether it's [Victor] Valdes or [Jose Manuel] Pinto in goal, they put the pressure on very high up.

"We have to take control of the game, keep the ball and go on the attack. However, it's also true that they know very well how to deal with us", Xavi added.

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