Xavi: Our players were outstanding, they gave an unbelievable performance

Al-Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his delight after the team’s 3-1 win over Al-Duhail in the second leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16. The result gave the Wolves a 4-2 aggregate victory, which took them to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Xavi said: “We are very happy to qualify for the quarter-final. I am very happy with the team because they did an outstanding job. As I said yesterday, Al-Duhail are one of the best teams in the Middle East with players who have played together for 7-8 years. So our achievement is amazing.

Our players gave an unbelievable performance over the two games. At Al-Wakrah in the first leg, we were the better side but today, we were only good in the first half. They made things very difficult for us in the second half. We created and missed chances but I have been working on a new philosophy with the team for the last three weeks. I am very happy that we have qualified, I am very happy for the players. Our work continues now, next up we have the Sheikh Jassim Cup match.”

As for the quarter-final clash with Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, the coach remarked: “It will be a tough game against Al-Nassr, we saw their game yesterday – they have excellent players but our aim will be to reach the semis. But now, the team is celebrating and we will then think about the Sheikh Jassim Cup, after that, the league and then, the Champions League.”

Asked about if he will be a new Guardiola, Xavi replied: “It’s just the beginning of my career, of course I want to be successful but don’t compare me with Guardiola. At this moment, he is the best coach in the world.”

Xavi also spoke about the way the team changed their approach by bringing in Khoukhi Boualem in the second half. “We were suffering with the long balls in the second half, and so we brought on Khoukhi to deal with it. Not just that but he also has a great personality and leadership skills so it was great to have him on for the last thirty minutes or so. After he came on, we changed our system a bit, with four defenders instead of three and two defensive midfielders. As I said, we didn’t play Khoukhi last time just because he had joined the training camp late. But he is one of the best players in Qatar.”