RIYADH (Reuters) – Barcelona supervisor Xavi Hernandez stated that his workforce would face an examination in Wednesday’s El Clasico towards rivals Real Madrid within the first Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia.
“It may be a turning level,” Xavi instructed a information convention within the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday. “Winning a Clasico will put us within the last and provides credibility to our venture. We have put LaLiga apart to concentrate on a nice competitors. It’s a title.”
Xavi stated there would be no excuses regardless of the match coming so early in his reign, lower than two months after he changed Ronald Koeman as Barca head coach.
“The match arrives when it arrives,” he stated. “Sure, we’d like extra time, it’s evident, however we can’t make excuses. Barca at all times need to compete. For us, Wednesday will be like an examination.”
It will be Xavi’s first Clasico as a coach, however having confronted Real quite a few occasions as a participant, he is aware of what to anticipate.
Barcelona are sixth in LaLiga’s standings with 32 factors from 20 video games, 17 factors behind leaders Real Madrid.
“I’ve lived and skilled all sorts of Clasicos. Sometimes Barca had been heavy favourites and didn’t win. And vice versa. Barca has drawn or received on the Santiago Bernabeu in tough occasions,” he stated.
“Tomorrow’s match will be an unpredictable traditional, we will attempt to impose our mannequin of enjoying and be who we’re. It’s not going to be simple, we’ll have the workforce in the very best form in Spain in entrance of us.”
Xavi will have varied gamers again from damage, comparable to striker Ansu Fati, whereas midfielder Pedri and ahead Ferran Torres will return after earlier optimistic COVID-19 assessments.
“Pedri and Torres testing adverse for COVID is nice information. They might not be capable of play each minute however we now have them. They are essential gamers for the system we need to use,” Xavi stated.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)
