Barcelona legend and Spain's World Cup-winner Xavi Hernandez will make his competitive debut as coach when his Al Sadd faces their AFC Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie against Al Duhail on Today.
Last season, Barcelona’s Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez led the Wolves to QNB stars League (QSL) title. But today he will be in differing shoes, stepping in as head coach for the first time at the competitive level.
Talking about the match Xavi said his team was fully prepared for the challenge.
"We're fully prepared for this challenge, at the start of the season. Our goal is to always keep attacking. It's difficult to score 100 goals every season.
"Our aim is to win titles and there's a big challenge in front of us. We'll take it step by step. I've a new philosophy and I think that the players are ready to implement it on the pitch," Xavi added.
For Al Sadd, this will be their sixth knock-out stage appearance. They were also the last West Asian side to lift the ACL trophy back in 2011.
"We have got international players at the highest level and have experience. I am happy with the level of Qatari internationals who play with us, after watching them during the Copa America.
"I have a new philosophy and I think the players are ready to implement this philosophy on the pitch.
"We have great challenges ahead as Al Duhail is a strong team. We are all ready for the start.”
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FC Barcelona future plan is: 1. Pique the president, 2. Puyol the sport director (and this is fulfilled now), and 3. Xavi the Coach! as Puyol is now the spord director, Xavi has just started preparing, and for Pique, he will join the Politics in around 2022 or ...23. I'm a Madrid big fan, but I already know about this.