Coach Xavi Hernandez hailed Barcelona's 3-2 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, insisting it showed the Catalans could once again compete with the very best teams in Europe.
"We had time to prepare for this game and everything turned out very well, in defense and in attack. We are proud of the team," Xavi said. "Paris played very well, but we kept their threat to a minimum."
Substitute Andreas Christensen's 77th-minute header secured victory for Barca at the Parc des Princes.
Brazilian Raphinha had given the visitors the lead at half-time, only for PSG to turn the game on its head with goals by Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha in the first six minutes after the restart. However, Raphinha volleyed in a Pedri pass to pull Barca level before Christensen's winner.
"It is a great victory against one of the best teams in the world. It is very difficult to defend against this team because of how they press you, but we did it very well," added Xavi, whose side are unbeaten in 12 games since he announced he would depart at the end of the season.
"We are only halfway there though, and it will be very difficult in Barcelona."
The Catalans are appearing in the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2020, when they lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, and since Lionel Messi left the club. It is their first away win in the knockout phase of the competition since 2019.
"The players believe in themselves," said Xavi as he looked ahead to next week's return leg at home.
"They have this opportunity, and if they play in the same way they will get chances. Nothing is done but we can be proud. This match shows that Barca are very much alive."
It was a disappointing night for PSG, with Kylian Mbappe for once failing to deliver on a big occasion.
In Spain, Atletico Madrid beat German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their quarter-final first leg, surviving a late onslaught from the visitors.
