http://www.uefa.com/Magazine/index.html http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind=4/newsId=270382.html Xavi itching for action Thursday, 6 January 2005 By Dario Lopez Traditionally the Christmas period is a time when footballers in most European countries get a long-overdue spell of relaxation, but with the draw for the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League pairing FC Barcelona alongside Chelsea FC, the Catalan side's midfield player, Xavi Hernandez, was a ball of energy. Exciting prospect "Just imagine how it would feel to be a fan going to watch either of the two legs?" the 25-year-old told uefa.com. "It's a shame that everyone has to wait until February because I could play a game like this tomorrow. But the break has given us time to rest and study them a bit." Golden days With Barcelona topping the Primera Division during the winter break, this has been something of a golden period for Xavi. Back in the Spanish national team under Luis Aragones, he has carved out a solid niche for himself as the anchorman in Frank Rijkaard's revitalised Barcelona side. Supportive environment "I suppose that is a result of the confidence others have placed in me; fans, coach, team-mates and the chairman," he said. "All of them give me support and know that I am important for the team, and it shows. It's basically a question of continuing to play regularly and trying to improve step by step." In-form team With the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Juliano Belletti, Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes all in great form, Barcelona have improved immensely. So much so that they are being touted in many quarters as potential Champions League winners. Let them come "We have always aspired to that," said Xavi. "Juventus [FC], [FC] Internazionale [Milano] and Chelsea were the teams we were hoping to avoid, but if you really want to win the Champions League then you must beat everybody. We think other teams are afraid of us and see us as the team to steer clear of." Mourinho role Certainly few sides could have put a shiver of fear through Jose Mourinho's all-star Chelsea team quite like Barcelona, when the two were paired in the draw for the first knockout stage games of the 2004/05 Champions League. However, with Mourinho having previously worked as a translator and assistant coach at Barca, the Portuguese tactician may believe he has the inside line on the Spanish side. Xavi said of Chelsea: "They concede very few goals and in Jose Mourinho they have someone who knows us very well indeed." Left at home An unused squad member as Inaki Saez's national team foundered at UEFA EURO 2004?, Xavi has found himself playing regular international football under his successor, Aragones. "At EURO 2004?, perhaps I had more of a name as a player but Inaki Saez was not convinced, and that was a blow for me because the competition took place just as I had hit form," he said. Spanish high "Things are better for me now because Luis Aragones has given me a lot of encouragement - and that is very important for me," he added. "The Spanish squad has sufficient quality in the ranks to go far in Germany, but as the coach has stressed we have to be much more competitive." Upward spiral By the same standard, Barca have the potential to win a shelf full of trophies this season. The key is turning that potential into results. "Football is cyclical and maybe now it's our turn to go through a rosy spell," said Xavi. "What we must do is make sure that we enjoy it while it lasts." -- ██████████████████ --

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