In a press conference before the duel against Real Madrid, the coach of Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, assessed the club’s chances in the Copa del Rey. If they pass by the rival, the Catalans will be able to win the 32nd title of the competition.
However, the coach did not want to increase the pressure on the team and stated that the Real Madrid comes stronger for the game than Barcelona.
“Real Madrid remain the big favourites. Despite the absences, he is the current champion of the Champions League and LaLiga. The Spanish Super Cup has nothing to do with it,” said Xavi, downplaying the title won against his rival in January.
“We are a team under construction, I think Madrid are the favourites. I have to be honest, I don’t mind saying that,” he added.
🗣 Xavi: “Going to the Bernabéu always motivates me. They put me in these kinds of matches” pic.twitter.com/DW7Q2JZoHd
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) March 1, 2023
Barcelona arrives for the match after two shocking defeats: to Manchester United, which resulted in the club’s elimination from the Europa League, and to Almería, last Saturday for spanish league. Xavi assessed the impacts of the latest results for the decisive duel.
“We will have to be a team more than ever. The small details will make the difference. We have to be courageous, have personality and minimize defeats. It will be a game that we will have to control through ball possession”, he said.
The first leg of the semifinal against Real Madrid will take place this Thursday at 5 pm (Brasília time) at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The return game will be at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s home, on April 5.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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