After the won semi-final against Osasuna on Thursday night, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández looked ahead to Sunday's final. The opponent in the Spanish Super Cup will be Real Madrid, a team for which Xavi says he has a lot of respect.
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In his conversation with AS, Barcelona's coach Xavi Hernández expressed a high level of respect and awareness of the challenge posed by Real Madrid, acknowledging their improvement over the past year.
"Real Madrid is better than last year. They are a super team," Xavi stated. Despite the formidable opponent, Xavi emphasized Barcelona's strategy to maintain their style of play, focusing on domination and one-on-one encounters. His confidence in this approach stems from a belief in the team's core philosophies and tactics.
Reflecting on Barcelona's performance in La Liga this season, Xavi recognized the setbacks, particularly mentioning the loss to Jude Bellingham's two goals (1-2). However, he remains optimistic about Barcelona's chances in the upcoming encounter, drawing confidence from the team's playing style, methodologies, and their historical approach against Real Madrid. "I have confidence in a victory because of our way of playing, our methodology, and our approach to the battle with Real Madrid," he said. This statement underlines Xavi's belief in Barcelona's inherent strengths and his conviction that adhering to their established style of play will yield positive results.
Xavi also referenced past successes against Real Madrid, including performances last year and in the Clásico earlier this season, where Barcelona maintained control until the sixtieth minute. He advocates for a game plan that emphasizes ball possession and showcases Barcelona's unique football DNA. "That's the direction the game needs to go, to dominate and take the ball away from them more. Show our DNA more than ever," he urged, highlighting the need for Barcelona to play to their strengths and demonstrate their renowned style of football.
The determination and motivation within the Barcelona camp are palpable, as Xavi mentioned. "We are extra motivated and it's time to show our good play," he stated, indicating a readiness to rise to the occasion and a desire to display the quality of football for which Barcelona is known.
On the other side, Real Madrid's path to the Supercopa de España final was marked by a notable victory over Atlético Madrid. In a thrilling encounter that extended into extra time, Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 5-3 scoreline. This result not only set the stage for a high-stakes final but also showcased Real Madrid's resilience and offensive prowess.
The upcoming final between these two storied clubs is more than just a battle for a trophy; it's a clash of footballing philosophies and a test of tactical acumen. With both teams bringing their unique strengths and styles to the fore, the match promises to be an exciting and strategically intriguing encounter.
