Real Madrid vs Barcelona (CDR): Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández thinks Real Madrid is the favorite for the clash in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. But the coach of the Catalans has fond memories of the last Clásico in Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona won the Supercopa final at the expense of Real Madrid in January. The first leg of the semi-final is scheduled for Thursday evening in Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. “Real won the last Clásico in La Liga, but we beat them in the Supercopa. I think this diptych will only be decided in the return,” said Xavi during a press conference.
“Real is the favorite for me because they are the reigning Spanish champions and title holders in the Champions League. Real has won several prizes in recent years and we are still in a building phase. We do know how to hurt Real. We have already shown that,” said Xavi, who surprisingly lost to Almería with Barcelona last Sunday.
He added, “More than ever, we need to form a unit, both defensively and offensively. In these kinds of duels, details are decisive. We have to be brave, show personality and be on the ball. Otherwise they have top players to strike with Vinícius, Valderde, Rodrygo, Benzema. This is also a match in which you sometimes have to step away from your regular style of play. We also did that in the Supercopa.”
Xavi has won two Clásicos and lost two
As coach of Barça, Xavi won two Clásicos and lost two. “Most of the memories I have of El Clásico are very good. I am thinking, for example, of the 2-6 victory in Madrid. But that was a completely different era,” said the former captain of Barcelona, who will not have access to the injured Robert Lewandowski on Thursday evening. Ansu Fati, Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé can be used again.
During the press conference, Xavi also received questions about the investigation by the Public Prosecution Service in Spain into alleged dubious payments from Barcelona to a company owned by a former head of the Spanish referee commission. The announced investigation caused quite a stir in Spain. He answered, “My feeling is that referees have never helped Barca. I don’t like cheating either. I’ve said that before.”
