Romanian great Gheorge Hagi believes Barcelona will be too strong for Europa League opponents Galatasaray.

Hagi was a star with both clubs during his career.

He told Marca: "Barça is clearly the better team, although both clubs are in transition. But Barça has recovered a lot with Xavi and is the clear favourite.

"Barca has suffered with the departure of (Lionel) Messi, it is clear. You have to give Xavi time to form a winning group and I trust him. The team has grown in winning mentality. Each game improves and even scores. They will soon be able to aspire to titles. Xavi has the right mentality."

On playing for Barca, Hagi said: "The best thing was that Johan Cruyff signed me and I became a footballer thanks to him and watching Ajax in the 70s. That was already incredible. I learned the philosophy of Barça and I still apply it today as a manager: total football; the 1-4-3-3; and wanting to win by playing good football, not winning for the sake of winning. All the technical concept that I have now comes from there."