Barca Have Shown ‘Winning Mentality’ in Champions League, Says Xavi 

FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
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Barca Have Shown ‘Winning Mentality’ in Champions League, Says Xavi 

FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)

Barcelona manager Xavi said his side have shown a winning mentality in the Champions League after they sealed their return to the knockout stages of Europe's elite club competition for the first time in three seasons on Tuesday.

Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix scored in each half to earn Barcelona a 2-1 comeback win at home against Porto that took the Group H leaders to 12 points from five matches.

A draw against already-eliminated Antwerp in their final group fixture will be enough to seal top spot.

"We needed this after two years," Xavi said. "We reacted well and displayed a winning mentality on several occasions.

"This was an important step in the right direction. It means a lot to the club.

"That's the first of our targets achieved in the Champions League. It has calmed us down and boosted our confidence, especially that of the players."

Tuesday's win comes on the heels of a disappointing 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga, a result which saw them slip to fourth, four points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid.

"The feeling is of happiness and of doing things well. We are progressing. But I don't feel liberated, I feel happy," the Spaniard said.

"You never solve all the problems at Barcelona, but it's a day to congratulate the team and the club for advancing.

"There are many things to improve, of course. We have to be humble. We have done some things very well, others not so," said Xavi, adding that he hoped the victory would be a turning point.

Barca next host Atletico Madrid in the league on Sunday.



Sancho Joins Chelsea on Loan from Manchester United

Soccer Football - Community Shield - Manchester United v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - August 10, 2024 Manchester United's Jadon Sancho has his shot saved by Manchester City's Ederson during the penalty shoot-out REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Soccer Football - Community Shield - Manchester United v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - August 10, 2024 Manchester United's Jadon Sancho has his shot saved by Manchester City's Ederson during the penalty shoot-out REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Sancho Joins Chelsea on Loan from Manchester United

Soccer Football - Community Shield - Manchester United v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - August 10, 2024 Manchester United's Jadon Sancho has his shot saved by Manchester City's Ederson during the penalty shoot-out REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Soccer Football - Community Shield - Manchester United v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - August 10, 2024 Manchester United's Jadon Sancho has his shot saved by Manchester City's Ederson during the penalty shoot-out REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Chelsea have signed English winger Jadon Sancho from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal, British media reported on Saturday.

Sancho joined Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window, with a deal sheet being submitted to the Premier League to sign him after the 11 p.m. deadline had passed.

The BBC reported Chelsea have an obligation to make the move permanent for a fee of 20 million-25 million pounds ($59.1 million).

According to Reuters, Sancho joined United in 2021 from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract, but had a public falling-out with manager Erik ten Hag last year which led to him returning to Dortmund on loan in January this year until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old made a substitute appearance in United's penalty shootout defeat by Manchester City in the Community Shield earlier this month but was not included in Ten Hag's squad for their two opening league games.

Sancho made 83 appearances for United, scoring 12 goals and has played 23 times for England. He was one of the players who failed to convert a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout which England lost to Italy.

Chelsea host Crystal Palace in their next league game on Sunday.