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6 months ago
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Barcelona moved to second place in the La Liga table after securing a resounding 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday night.
The Blaugrana were by far the better team on the night and the scoreline showed as much, as goals from Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski, and Fermin Lopez set up a convincing victory for the reigning champions.
The result, coupled with Girona’s loss on the weekend, meant Barça now sit second in the table, eight points behind leaders Real Madrid with nine matches left to be played.
Xavi delighted
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was delighted with the performance and the result, even though it was not the most pleasant evening for him personally.
After all, the manager was sent off from the touchline by the referee for his verbal protests and gestures against some of the decisions made by the official.
When asked if this was Barça’s most complete performance of 2024, Xavi said: “Yes, definitely. We were brilliant in many stages of the match. We knew how to attack, the match was similar to the one against Napoli.
“They pressed our centre-backs and we had to find space in behind, especially in the second half with Koke. We understood it well.”
Further praising the display, he added: “I think this was the perfect match that showed our approach, our playing philosophy. We’re very happy, everything went perfect and according to plan.
“This is a spectacular win, three golden points. This is the Barça that we want to see. As a manager, I am very happy today.”
The manager then touched on the team’s recent run of form, saying: “Ever since I announced my decision to leave, the team is playing better. We’re pressing more, attacking more, defending more.”
Xavi could not stop gushing over the performance as he added: “Our style is showing. Call it Cruyffism or whatever, but it’s showing. Due to bad luck we don’t play like this in every match, but when we do, it’s so enjoyable.”
Xavi was sent off during the game. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)On the players
Xavi revealed that Andreas Christensen dropped out of the starting XI due to some discomfort in the Achilles tendon. Otherwise, the plan was for him to start as the pivot with Ilkay Gundogan playing much higher.
“The idea was to start Gündogan as an advanced midfielder on the right, the top of the ‘box’ as we call it. However, as Christensen couldn’t play, we opted for Fermín. Christensen has some discomfort in his Achilles,” he remarked.
“Christensen is not injured per se. He has some Achilles discomfort, the same thing I had when I played. It’s painful, but it depends on the day. Today he told us that he couldn’t play.”
Praising the performance of the players, Xavi added: “Individually, everyone was excellent, and as a team too. This is a moment to dream.”
Like Fermin Lopez, Xavi also stated that Barcelona want to dedicate the win to Joao Cancelo, who missed the game due to some personal problems.
“Cancelo is such a good guy, with a very big heart. He’s very affected and he could not join us today, but we dedicate the win to him,” the manager said.
With Cancelo missing, Hector Fort was asked to do the job at left-back and the youngster delivered in a big way, earning praise from his manager.
“Hector Fort was brilliant. It’s not his position, but he did it well. He does not complicate himself, he plays easy, with personality, and without fear. He has a desire to succeed. That’s the key,” said Xavi.
“We are playing very difficult games, competing with kids who are young, but also prepared.”
There was great praise for Robert Lewandowski as well, as Xavi said: “This was possibly Lewandowski’s best match in a Barça shirt.”
The Barcelona boss also had some words of praise for Joao Felix, who was on target against his parent club, saying: “Joao Felix was very good tonight, with and without the ball. He was very motivated and he made the difference.”
Continuing to heap praise on the players, he remarked: “Sergi Roberto as a midfielder, Gundogan, Joao Felix, Fermin himself, Raphinha, all of them”
Xavi then added that Barcelona still have the chance to win two trophies this season and this is the time to dream, saying:
“We’re playing well and we can dream. We can’t rule out anything, I keep telling that to the players. This maybe was our best match of the season.”
On his red card, Xavi added: “The referee said he sent me off for my gestures. I didn’t say absolutely anything. I’m always respectful. If I make gestures it’s because I’m very passionate.”
Source: LaLiga/YouTube
