Xavi says Barca are better equipped to handle Man Utd this year ahead of Wednesday's showdown.
Barca ace looking to avenge 2008 exit
Xavi believes Barcelona are better equipped to handle Manchester United ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League showdown in Rome.
The Catalan giants were eliminated from last year's competition in the semi-finals by Sir Alex Ferguson's troops 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Paul Scholes' early goal at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old believes Pep Guardiola's side have progressed since their disappointment last year and are ready to lift the trophy they last won in 2006.
Barcelona have played some scintillating football this season, but Xavi has no problems if his colleagues fail to illuminate the showpiece final providing they go home with silverware.
Prepared
"Manchester United beat us in last year's semi-final of the Champions League, but now things are different. Things have changed and we're prepared to win the trophy," he told
skysports.com.
"In finals only the score matters. If we win it doesn't matter if we don't play well because fans only remember the champions, not the runners-up.
"I'm finally convinced that (Thierry) Henry and (Andres) Iniesta will play in Rome. We need the help of my team-mates and I believe they'll be fit to play in the match.
"The key to winning the final will be ball possession. Barca will not be able to dominate United without possession as it will allow them to counter attack."
Xavi has acknowledged Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be the players to watch in Rome, although he does not necessarily think they will decide the outcome of the match.
Sensational
"People speak about the Messi and Ronaldo duel in Rome, but this is not the dominating factor," he continued. "The pair are sensational, but in football it's 11 versus 11 so just one player won't decide the outcome.
"We're not only focusing on the Portugal international, although I can't imagine both players will be given the freedom of the pitch.
"It's a blow to have defenders unavailable in our back-line, but we're not looking to make excuses. Our aim is to win and that's what we're dreaming of.
"To score an early goal will be very important. We want to create as many problems as possible for them from the first minute."
