Barcelona, who lead La Liga, are the toughest club in the world to manage, according to coach Xavi Hernández, because their critics are always ready to pounce—even after big victories. On Thursday, Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1‑0 in the Copa del Rey semi‑final first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, yet they were criticised for having only 34 percent possession. Xavi explained that the demands on his team—to play attractive football, win games and lift trophies—make his job more challenging than any other in the sport.
“You beat Real Madrid 1‑0 and it seems that it’s not convincing enough, whereas if it were the reverse there would be a national party,” Xavi told reporters. “So it is the hardest club in the world. Now you believe me? I said it last year and got bashed for it.” He added that at Barcelona, the expectation is to win while also dominating possession—70 percent—and creating many chances, for example 16 versus the opponent’s three. “That is the objective, and that is our objective, but you have to understand that there is an opponent who are the reigning La Liga and European champions, and we’re competing with them.”
Xavi called it “absurd” to criticize Barcelona for not keeping the ball against a Madrid side that pressed them high up the pitch. “We did not want to set up in our box; Madrid pushed us there, that wasn’t our objective for the game,” he said.
Barcelona travel to Valencia on Sunday for a La Liga match, where they can extend their lead to 10 points before Real Madrid face Real Betis. Last weekend, Barcelona missed the chance to widen their advantage after a 1‑0 loss at Almería. Valencia, currently 18th, have recently appointed Rubén Baraja as coach and secured a 1‑0 win over Real Sociedad, boosting their fight to avoid relegation. “They defend well with Baraja, they are more aggressive, generous in their defensive work, very fast,” Xavi observed. “We come from the Almería defeat; we have to change the mindset from the cup. We want three points, but the opponent also needs them, they have a lot on the line.”
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