Xavi tells Barcelona fans 'it's time to dream' after thrashing Atletico Madrid

Xavi has called on Barcelona fans to «dream» following a week of impressive results in La Liga and UEFA Champions League.

Barca secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2020 in midweek, besting Serie A champions SSC Napoli, before becoming the first team to beat Atletico Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano this season — thumping Atleti 3-0 thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix and Fermin Lopez.

The results are a continuation of the remarkable form La Blaugrana have been on since Xavi announced that he would leave the club at the end of the 2023/24 season. The club are currently enjoying a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions, renewing hope that Barca could be in with a shout of winning the Champions League.

Speaking to the press after the emphatic win over Atletico, Xavi was keen to praise his side's recent performances and insist Barca fans should be excited about their chances in the Champions League.

«We're playing well and we can dream. We can't rule out anything, I keep telling that to the players. This maybe was our best match of the season,» he said.

«We were brilliant in many stages of the match. We knew how to attack, the match was similar to the one against Napoli.

»They pressed our centre-backs and we had to find space in behind, especially in the second half with Koke. We understood it well. I think this was the perfect match that showed our approach, our playing philosophy. We're very happy, everything went perfect and according to plan.

«This is a spectacular win, three golden points. This is the Barca that we want to see. As a manager, I am very happy today.

»It is a time to dream. I am happy and satisfied."

Barcelona are set to face off against Paris