Xavi: The Champions League mustn't be an obsession for Barcelona Barcelona Now coach at Al-Sadd

Barcelona's last two eliminations from the Champions League have been excruciating for supporters, yet Xavi Hernandez believes that the competition mustn't become an obsession for his former club.

Lionel Messi issued a rally call to supporters in the build-up to the 2018/19 season but Los Cules were ultimately eliminated by Liverpool, despite the Catalan giants holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg.

"I don't think the Champions League should be an obsession for Barcelona," Xavi explained in an interview with MARCA.

"It should simply be seen as a challenge, a goal, but nothing more than that.

"If you obsess over something then it actually becomes counterproductive."

Ernesto Valverde started with a midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo and Frenkie de Jong in Tuesday's draw with Borussia Dortmund, and Xavi felt that the midfield selection was a call-back to his time at the club.

"The match against Valencia we saw an extraordinary level of performance," Xavi confirmed.

"We recovered the ball with high pressure and everyone worked for the team, it was a very good Barcelona.

"The appearance of Ansu Fati and Carles Perez is a good sign for the academy, so things are going well thus far, besides some disappointing results away from home."

In the midst of the Blaugrana's own start to the season, the former Barcelona playmaker has embarked on a continental challenge of his own, guiding Al-Sadd to the semi-final of the AFC Champions League, overcoming Al-Nassr in the quarter-final.

"It was our best game since I arrived here, we controlled the ball and created a lot," Xavi added.

"The team now is close to what I want: high pressure, rapid ball circulation and a high number of chances.

"I'm very happy with how we played and I was elated at the end of the match, I want to feel that way again."

It's often difficult for those who have been incredible players to transition into the world of coaching, we've seen varying degrees of success for those who have followed a similar path to Xavi in years gone by, however the Spaniard is enjoying the initial highs, even if it feels different to when he was on the pitch himself.

"Now I feel more responsible," Xavi conceded.

"You see that your idea of the game is being taken by the players and that fills you with pride.

"Correcting things moving forward is a lot easier after winning, the players believe you when you tell them something is going to happen, we are playing the game how we want to at this time."