The Barça coach, Xavi Hernández, couldn’t be happier after his team’s victory in the classic against Real Madrid. A triumph that allows them to move away to twelve points at the head of the classification. Although he assures the man from Egar that “we don’t feel like champions”, he is aware that “it is an important step” for this. The coach took the opportunity to breastfeed for his players because “it is time to assess what they are doing.” However, he took the opportunity to answer Ancelotti in his doubt about the offside in the disallowed goal against Asensio.
“In many moments I have had goosebumps, it has been a perfect script” Xavi started. “I think it’s fair, we’ve had the clearest chances. Madrid always makes life difficult for you, but we have had possession, we have been a mature team. Their goal was very unfair because we were playing better. But we have overcome. We haven’t beaten Madrid for five years and I’m leaving satisfied, ”he explained.
Xavi repeated on several occasions that they don’t feel like champions “but it is an important step. This league can only be lost by us. Last year we were at 12 and now we are at 12. In October we were three below. We are doing things very well and it should be appreciated”.
The Barça coach was convinced that his team had been superior to Real Madrid. “The result reflects what the game has been. We have been superior. We have generated more chances. We have emptied ourselves”. Although he acknowledged that in the second part it was difficult for them to minimize the passes inside, due to fatigue. “One of the keys to the game is that we have minimized losses, we have been responsible. The goal was not to give away transitions and counterattacks. We have played with maturity, we have dominated in many moments”.
And Xavi puffed out his chest. “It’s not definitive. But twelve points with twelve games to go says how well we are doing. It is time to assess what these players are doing. We have only lost ten points in the league. I think we are making an extraordinary league. They are players who suffer and I am very happy and proud of them. Life goes to each ball and it is time to value what they do, ”he said.
The Barça coach also had for Ancelotti. “The offside is clear. I am surprised by Ancelotti these statements. Either he is or he is not. There is no more discussion. If today we talk about VAR, it’s firecracker. It is a clear offside and then we scored 2-1”. And he added that he trusts VAR because without it “it is more difficult to be fair. And more in offsides. There is no doubt there, that’s why Ancelotti today surprises me”.
And I end with a realistic message. “I understand people who sing champions, but we cannot relax. We haven’t won the League yet.”
