According to Xavi, Barcelona’s triumph over their Clasico rivals Real Madrid with a score of 2-1 was “a highly significant win for us,” as it propelled his team to a comfortable 12-point lead in LaLiga.
Barcelona is now on the verge of winning their first league title since the 2018-19 season, with 12 more matchdays to go and no signs of their dominance letting up.
Xavi claims Barcelona had more control in El Clasico win
Despite a difficult start that saw Ronald Araujo score a freak own goal, Barcelona managed to equalize just before half-time through Sergi Roberto, who was chosen to start in midfield over Franck Kessie.
This boosted Barcelona’s spirits going into the second half, where they scored the winning goal in stoppage time, thanks to substitute Kessie. Xavi, the coach, was overjoyed on the sidelines as he recognized the significance of this goal.
Unless Barcelona experiences a shocking collapse in the remaining weeks of the season, Xavi will lead his team to the championship, dethroning their arch-rivals from Madrid.
Xavi told reporters: “We dominated, we generated more chances. I am leaving satisfied. The team emptied itself and worked in defence and attack. It is a very important victory for us. I think we have been good.
“I think we had more control and have been superior in general.”
Asked whether or not Barcelona are now La Liga champions, he replied: “No, because there are 12 games left. It is a very important victory in a Clásico, it is deserved, we have been better, dominating, generating clearer chances… I am very satisfied, the team has emptied itself.
It is a very important victory for us, it gives us morale and confidence. We’ve been very good.
“The league is not definitive. We don’t feel like champions. It’s a step forward and I’m very happy for the players.
There’s an extraordinary atmosphere. We’re having an extraordinary league. Our players suffer and I’m very proud of how they play, how life is going for them… you have to value them”.
