The trip to the Bernabeu in La Liga is a measure of Xavi’s capacity as well as the team he is building.
*Real – Barca: 03:00 on Monday, 21 March, Hanoi time.
What Xavi has done since leading Barca is praised. The 42-year-old coach helped the Nou Camp side climb from ninth to third in La Liga. At this point, the goal of reaching the top four is within Barca’s reach and they also have a chance of winning the Europa League when they reach the quarter-finals. Barca’s progress stems in part from an effective transfer policy, but the big credit goes to Xavi, who is reviving the team’s DNA long after a period of loss of identity.
Real beat Barca 3-2 in the Spanish Super Cup in January. Photo: Reuters.
However, whether or not Xavi led Barca for a long time depends on his performance in big matches where El Clasico becomes the main stage. This is the second time Xavi confrontation Real as a coach. In the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup in January, Barca two equalizers but still lost 2-3 after 120 minutes. During his playing time, the former Spain midfielder played 42 El Clasico matches, including 38 starts. He won 17 games, drew 12 and lost 13. Only Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos (45 times) have played more El Clasicos than Xavi.
In the first leg of La Liga on 24 October, Barca lost to Real 1-2. David Alaba scored in his first El Clasico before Lucas Vazquez doubled the visitors’ lead. Sergio Aguero’s goal shortened the score in the seventh minute of injury time did not help Barca take off face. Three days later, the Catalans sacked Ronald Koeman and appointed Xavi as his replacement.
At present, Barca’s strength has been strengthened with many new factors while Real has maintained the framework since the start of the season. But the home team at the Bernabeu is still more appreciated thanks to his stable form. They lead La Liga with 66 points after 28 rounds, 10 more than second-placed Sevilla and 15 more than Barca. Real have the best home record in La Liga this season with 10 wins and four draws. They beat Barca in the last five meetings.
“Real is like a chameleon. I don’t know if they will press or wait for you to attack. In the match against PSG, they pressed the opponent uncompromisingly for the last 30 minutes. I think the next match will be similar to the previous match. competition in the Spanish Super Cup, as Real waited for a counterattack. But they can also press high. Let’s wait and see,” Xavi said.
Compared to Xavi, Carlo Ancelotti more experienced. The Italian coach has had many big games in his career and Real is not under pressure to win. Commenting on Barca’s changes since Xavi took over, Ancelotti said: “Barca’s identity has never changed. They have a clear style and Xavi fits into that style. Barca have improved a lot since joining the club. played well. I think Xavi did a good job. “
Real have won and conceded just two goals in their last five matches in all competitions, including a 3-1 win over PSG in the Champions League 1/8 second leg and a 3-0 win over Mallorca in the previous round. Barca are unbeaten in La Liga since early December and have won the last four matches, the last being 4-0 against Osasuna. However, teacher and student Xavi were physically unlucky to travel to Turkey to meet Galatasaray in the 1/8 Europa League round on 17 February.
Barca could not get the services of Alejandro Balde, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti due to injury. In his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti confirmed Karim Benzema absent because Real could not risk the French striker’s injury. This is a big loss for the home team as Benzema has scored 22 of Real’s 59 goals in La Liga.
“Benzema is a very important member of the squad. But I still have plans to coach him in his absence. Gareth Bale, Mariano and Luka Jovic can play. Isco or Rodrygo also play in that position. There are many options and I will choose the best option depending on the situation. game,” said Ancelotti.
Vinh San
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
