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Xavi expressed his expectations for the El Clásico, saying, “Real Madrid is stronger when Barcelona is stronger.”
Today marks the climax of the Spanish Super Cup with the final clash between two traditional Spanish rivals: Real Madrid and Barcelona. It’s the highly anticipated first El Clásico of 2024.
Ahead of the match, Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi, shared his thoughts with Saudi Arabian journalists, as reported by Fichajes.
On the team’s emotions: “We are motivated and excited. It’s an ideal scenario for everyone: the Super Cup final and El Clásico. Our aim is to play well, similar to last year, showcasing our style and ideology. In El Clásico, there’s no clear favorite; the odds are always 50%. Winning the title requires individual dominance in the game.”
About being in Saudi Arabia: “We’re delighted to be here, and we feel supported. Football in Saudi Arabia is on the rise.”
On preparation: “I’m focusing on the overall game rather than individual players. Everyone must be ready to play in any position.”
Changes in the center: “Not everything relies on Pedri. I understand the identity and DNA of Barcelona. We need to regain possession from Real Madrid regardless of the midfield setup, sticking to Johan Cruyff’s concept. We must stay true to Cruyffism.”
Winning without perfection: “We must play well, dominate possession, adhere to Cruyffism, and persist in playing with the ball. The idea remains unchanged.”
On preparing for Real Madrid: “I think they might be fatigued after extra time in the last match, but the same happened to us last year. That’s not an excuse.”
On previous games: “We’ve played well against Athletic, Sevilla, Real, Girona, and Porto. We’ve performed better than last season, and it’s time to restore our game.”
On past El Clásicos: “Last year, there were several El Clásicos, but things have changed significantly. Their squad has changed, and they now have Bellingham playing with four midfielders.”
On changes in Real Madrid: “I sense Real Madrid is stronger when Barcelona is stronger. To win any title, we’ve had to surpass Madrid. Last year, we won two titles against them, and now we’re competing for another.”
On what is at stake: “The title. I feel more comfortable than last year. We’ve shown that the current Barcelona is a winning project, adding confidence. Ancelotti is always hungry, and Madrid knows we can compete.”
About Ancelotti: “I underestimated him. He’s one of the best coaches in the world. I have extraordinary respect for him. We play in the same place, but we have different ideas.”
On Bellingham: “We don’t focus on one player; they all have outstanding levels. Bellingham’s arrival has stood out; he shows differences with his game, such as the brace in El Clásico.”
On Raphinha: “He’ll be in the upcoming matches. For the next game, let’s continue with our individuality.”
About Araujo: “I can’t give hints. I wouldn’t want to provide such a service to Ancelotti. Araujo is a guarantee in defense and with the ball.”
On Yamal: “[I demand from him] confidence, talent, and quality, regardless of who is in front of him. He must showcase his talent because he can change the situation, even as a teenager.”
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