Xavi: Barcelona won’t be distracted by Real Madrid game against Shakhtar Donetsk

Barcelona boss Xavi said his players will not be distracted by the upcoming El Clasico against Real Madrid when they face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The meeting with the Ukrainian champions at the Nou Camp will be Barca’s last match before hosting LaLiga leaders Real on Saturday, where victory against their great rivals will see them leapfrog Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the table.

The manager will be without the suspended Gavi against Shakhtar after he was red carded in added time at the end of the 1-0 win against Porto before the international break, while midfielder Pedri is almost certain to be out after he missed training on Monday.

“We need the fans, we play for them. If we win, it is thanks to the culers. It is important for them to come tomorrow and have fun.”

-Xavi-#BarçaShakhtar | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/GrZY4gLg9S

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2023

Victory on Wednesday will see Barca put one foot in the last 16 after they won their first two games of this season’s competition, against Porto and 5-0 at home to Belgian side Royal Antwerp.

It would be their first time in the Champions League knockout rounds since 2021 after they were eliminated in the group stages of each of the last two editions.

And Xavi said the prospect of cementing their position at the top of Group H will be sufficient to focus his side despite the spectre of Real looming.

“For us it is a vital game and really important in terms of getting out of the group,” he said. “The three points tomorrow against Shakhtar are key for our objective.

Shakhtar roster picked by Darijo Srna to play the match vs Barcelona in Spain.

@ChampionsLeague October 25 19:45 (18:45 CET)#Shakhtar #BarcelonaShakhtar #UCL pic.twitter.com/pi4QDVcPZN

— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) October 23, 2023

“This is the Champions League, the biggest competition there is for clubs and for us getting nine points from nine is very important.

“I don’t need to take anyone’s mind off Saturday’s game against Real Madrid because the Champions League makes you focused and switched on.

“We are focused on tomorrow’s game because it will not be easy. Shakhtar are a dynamic side, strong and I think they can cause us problems. We can’t lose our focus.

“Shakhtar are in a difficult situation, it’s uncomfortable, far from their families. Speaking only in footballing terms, they have changed coach and now they have (Darijo) Srna who I know well and respect a lot.

“The team has quality players even though perhaps they are not well known, and technically they are very good.”

Srna, Shakhtar’s director of football who was appointed caretaker manager last week following the dismissal of Patrick van Leeuwen, has warned supporters not to expect miracles under his brief tenure.

It was announced on Tuesday that Marino Pusic will take charge of the team on a permanent basis following the Barcelona match.

Marino Pusic is Shakhtar’s new head coach! Welcome!

The contract with the 52-year-old manager lasts until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Find out more: https://t.co/ey4tw9dB02.#Shakhtar #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/JcJT5bnvu3

— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) October 24, 2023

The team are currently third in the Ukrainian Premier League behind surprise early-season leaders Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih and Polissya Zhytomyr.

“I told (the club) that I am not (Pep) Guardiola nor (Jurgen) Klopp, that I am Darijo Srna, that I do not have a lot of experience as a coach,” said Srna.

“But I have a heart of a miner (the club’s nickname), and that this heart has said to me that I have to help in a difficult situation, for the country and for Shakhtar.”