FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández acknowledged that Real Madrid are «favorites» in the Copa del Rey semifinals between the two teams, although he clarified that they will go out to win at the Santiago Bernabéu and that the tie will be decided in the second leg at the Spotify Camp Nou, in a duel for which he could recover Lewandowski, Pedri or Dembélé, who are currently out of action.
«It’s a Cup semifinal, with the added bonus that it’s a Clasico. For us it’s a title. For me Madrid are still favorites because they are current Cup and ‘Champions’ champions. I think they are favorites regardless of the losses and the Supercopa, where we were very good. They are in a good moment, despite the draw against Atlético, and I think Madrid are favorites,» he reiterated at a press conference.
For Xavi, his Barça is still a team under construction. «We did win a title and against Madrid and with extraordinary soccer, but Madrid is Madrid and they are competing in the Champions League. They are favorites, but we have the personality and players to hurt them and we have shown that. I foresee a very evenly matched tie,» he said.
To try to win, he believes they must be «more of a team than ever» in attack and defense. «We must have the ball and be protagonists with the ball, minimize losses because they make chances in transition. It’s a game we have to control with the ball, we have to play in the opponent’s half. It’s a model game, as we did in the Super Cup,» he commented.
And that’s why he will play the same game as in the Super Cup, which they won 3-1. «They are a very tough opponent, at times they don’t dominate you, but they have transitions in which they do dominate and in two or three touches they are in your goal. They are a very difficult opponent, we already suffered in La Liga when they beat us well, but we beat them well in the Super Cup,» he recalled.
«It’s two games, we are very happy to be here, and it’s totally different from LaLiga and Europa League. I think everything will be decided at the Camp Nou but we will go out to win and show our personality, it’s a golden opportunity to win another title. We will give one hundred percent and tomorrow’s objective is to win the game,» he said, despite giving the eternal rival the upper hand.
He also highlighted Vinicius’ good moment in the white team. «He is making a difference, he is an exceptional player. He has added goals to his soccer, he is a determining factor for Real Madrid. He is a differential player and is at a very high level, very much so,» he commented.
For this first leg, without Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, the goal could be expensive. However, Ansu Fati is back. «He returned to training today, he feels good and has a good feeling. I see him motivated and happy, he should be important for tomorrow,» he said.
«The mental aspect is worked on every day. It’s another competition, we wipe the slate clean. In this Cup we have been very good and it is an opportunity to win a title. We have to give one hundred percent despite the casualties, it is a good opportunity to react,» he said in this regard.
On a personal level, the coach goes to the Bernabéu «looking forward to it». «It always motivates me to go to the Bernabéu. I love going there and trying to play good games and take the ball away from them. It motivates me much more than any other type of match, I get off on this game. I would love to go and play and touch the ball but I can’t, that’s why I tell my players to dare because winning at the Bernabéu is a very nice feeling,» he said, sincere.
Moreover, his overall balance is good. «We are in the Cup semis, leaders in LaLiga with 7 points, we have won the Super Cup and in Europe we have competed, despite being eliminated. The film has been quite good, we have given our best and we have rarely been inferior to our opponents. In LaLiga we are still in the fight. The balance has to be positive,» he argued.
«It would be important for us, to win, to show good feelings, to win, to play well, but you have a very strong Madrid. It will be a very competitive match and there will be another one in April at Camp Nou. We will try to control the game and dominate,» he said.
«The ‘woe, woe, woe’ can only bring negative things. Inside we have the mentality to win. Tomorrow we will go out to compete head to head and try to win. We will go out to show our personality. But I am euphoric coming from where we came from. We have won the Super Cup and we can win the League and the Cup; let’s go for it,» he concluded.
Regarding the ‘Negreira Case’ and the fact that the RFEF and CTA will hold a press conference on Thursday, a few hours before the match, he was cautious. «From the referees that they do it in the best possible way. My feeling being at Barça is that the referees have not helped us. I don’t like to win by cheating, I’ve said it many times,» he reiterated.