Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has warned his players cannot fail against Inter Milan in the Champions League at the San Siro on Tuesday.
Barca and Inter both lost to Group C leaders Bayern Munich and head into the clash with three points in the first two games.
The Champions League has proved cruel for Barcelona in recent years, since winning in 2015, and last season they suffered a humiliating exit in the group stage.
“The game is vital tomorrow, not final, but very important if we want to progress to the next round,” Xavi said in a press conference on Monday.
“We both lost to Bayern, so tomorrow’s game is huge. We’ll see what Bayern do tomorrow too, but we can’t fail. It’s in our heads, we can’t fail.
The Catalans are in good form, top of La Liga and unbeaten domestically, while Inter Milan are struggling, ninth in Serie A with four defeats in eight games.
However, Xavi believes past results aren’t important and Inter can pose a different threat to his team than any team in Spain.
“Form doesn’t matter much, we’ve played many games where we were favorites and we’ve lost,” added Xavi.
“Inter are very strong, they have great movement in attack, they use a dynamic style with two strikers which is not used in the Spanish league.
“It’s the toughest group we’ve had in the Champions League for many years, it will be very difficult. We have to show the personality we showed in Munich but get the result.
Barcelona left-back Marcos Alonso has started this game and is expected to feature against Inter Milan, although potentially out of position.
Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Hector Bellerin, Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong are injured and Alonso could be used as a central defender if Xavi decides to line up with three defenders in this position.
“It wouldn’t be the first time I played there,” Alonso said. “My main desire is to play, if the coach wants me to be there then I will give my all and do my best for the team.”