La Liga chief Barcelona is the toughest membership on this planet to handle as a consequence of its critics all the time being able to snipe at it even after huge wins, coach Xavi Hernandez mentioned Saturday.
Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 within the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday on the Santiago Bernabeu, however was criticised for less than having 34 p.c possession.
Xavi mentioned the calls for on his staff to play good soccer in addition to successful video games and lifting trophies meant his job was trickier than another within the sport.
“You beat Real Madrid 1-0 and it seems that it’s not convincing enough, whereas if it was the reverse there would be a national party,” Xavi advised reporters.
“So it is the hardest club in the world. Now you believe me? I said it last year and got bashed for it.
“At Barcelona you have to win and convince, to have 70 percent of possession and create 16 chances while the opponent makes three.
“That is the objective, and that is our objective, but you have to understand that there is an opponent who is the reigning La Liga and European champions, and we’re competing with them.”
Xavi mentioned it was “absurd” to criticise Barcelona for not retaining the ball when it confronted a Madrid aspect urgent it excessive 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,” mentioned Xavi.
On Sunday Barcelona faces Valencia in La Liga, the place it has the possibility to maneuver 10 factors clear earlier than Real Madrid faces Real Betis.
Last weekend Barcelona missed an opportunity to increase its benefit as they misplaced 1-0 at Almeria.
Valencia, 18th, just lately appointed Ruben Baraja as coach and it beat Real Sociedad 1-0 final weekend to bolster its bid to flee relegation.
“They defend well with Baraja, they are more aggressive, generous in their defensive work, very fast,” mentioned Xavi.
“We come from the Almeria defeat, we have to change the mindset from the cup. We want three points but the opponent arrives in need too, they have a lot on the line.”
