During his six years in Catalunya, the Frenchman scored 40 goals and added 43 assists in 185 matches. That was only his second goal for the Ligue 1 side following his £43million move.

Speaking ahead of the game, Xavi said: “I felt bad about Ousmane because he was in an extraordinary moment here. I hold no grudges, and tomorrow I’ll greet him with all respect.

I have a lot of affection for him.” But when asked further about the prospect of Barcelona fans booing Dembele, Xavi added: “I don’t hold a grudge against him.

Tomorrow I’ll greet him, as I did in Paris. With respect, I appreciate him.

His U-turn to leave Barcelona came as a shock to many, before, back in November, Dembele explained why he decided to join PSG. “Yes, I said I would stay at Barcelona, but after speaking with PSG I was convinced that I had to leave.

“Was the choice easy in my best moment in Barcelona? It was more Paris that made me change my mind than not leaving Barcelona.

Kylian did not try to convince me, I came to Paris because I love the club, it is a French club and I love it. I come from Evreux, not far from here.

I have many friends, supporters of the club, who always tried to convince me to come.” Barcelona head into the second leg at the Montjuic Stadium with a one-goal advantage.

A brace from Raphinha and a fine header from Andreas Christensen earned Xavi’s side the victory, with Dembele and Vitinha finding the net for PSG. Despite boasting the lead, Xavi is not taking anything for granted.

He added: “[I am] Happy to be where we are, proud to be where we are. I think it’s a good moment and I’m excited.

We feel it already. We have to control our emotions, our temperament … It’s a game of heads or tails.

We want to be in control with the ball, and we want to show the best side and personality of the team. “We need our fans to be loud because PSG will make us suffer, there’s no doubt about it, and we have to be a team to beat them.

All of us, together.”