PSG boss Luis Enrique bizarrely claims his tactics ‘definitely’ suit Barcelona more than current head coach Xavi’s ahead of crunch Champions League clash

PSG boss Luis Enrique has bizarrely claimed that his tactics are better suited to Barcelona than the club’s current head coach Xavi ahead of the two side’s meeting in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The 53-year-old has started the mind games with his dugout opponent ahead of the quarter-final clash by commenting on Xavi’s tactics set to be deployed against the Parisians.

Enrique previously enjoyed tremendous success at the Camp Nou when he led Barcelona to a fabled Treble in 2015 after previously spending eight years at the club as a player and three as manager.

However, despite taking over the reigns at the Parc des Princes at the start of the season, the Spaniard still believes he boasts a style adored by the Catalan club.

Xavi has found form with his Barca squad during the second half of the season but is set to leave at the end of the season after announcing his wish to depart regardless of what is achieved this year.

Barcelona host PSG in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday

Xavi has found form with his Barca squad during the second half of the season but is set to leave at the end of the season

The former iconic midfielder won the LaLiga title during his first season in charge, but Enrique has claimed the statistics show he is a better option for the Spanish giants.

‘Without a doubt, it’s me,’ Enrique said when asked about whose style is better suited at the Nou Camp. 

‘It’s not an opinion, look at the statistics, in terms of possession, chances, pressing, trophies… Others might have a different opinion, but it’s definitely me. My love story with Barcelona goes back many years, but my profession comes first.’

Xavi and Enrique previously played together and worked together during the Parisian coach’s former stint in charge and will lock horns for the first time as managerial opponents in the midweek knockout tie.

However, the former Spain national team head coach doesn’t believe any inside knowledge on Xavi will be an advantage and warned his PSG players that Barcelona are a ‘strong’ opponent.

Enrique previously enjoyed tremendous success at the Camp Nou when he led Barcelona to a fabled Treble in 2015

The 53-year-old is targeting a first Champions League semi-final with his PSG squad

He continued: ‘I’ve known him (Xavi) as a teammate, as my player, but not as a coach. I know the club very well, but I don’t know whether it’ll be an advantage.

‘I know Barcelona really well and I know the players, but I don’t know if that could be an advantage or not. It could be the opposite.

‘The club means a lot to me emotionally because of the experiences I had there, but I am also a professional and I have to think about my job and my team.

‘Nobody can say that this Barcelona team is weak, they are strong. They’re doing well going forward, they have good players, and they’re a club with a lot of experience, having already won five titles. It’s not easy, but I’m feeling motivated.’