Barcelona is in a comfortable position before El Clásico. Nine points more than Real Madrid, even if they lose the derby they will still be the first favorite for the title. What gives Blaugrana a great deal of optimism are the results of the past two clashes against Real – first defeating them in the final of the Spanish Super Cup (3-1) in Saudi Arabia and a few weeks ago in the first match of the Copa del Rey semi-final (1-0).Out of three derbies this season, they won two, however, they want a rematch for 1-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in the first part of the La Liga campaign. Coach Xavi does not care how they get there, he just wants to reach the goal.”Real will try to dominate, that’s how they behaved in the previous cup match as well. We didn’t prepare for that duel like that, it just happened. Otherwise, we are a team that wants possession and to create chances with the ball at our feet, to be dangerous”, Xavi explained.##NAJAVA_MECA_7108508##It seems that the former captain of Barca was bothered by the remark of Diego Simeone after the triumph of Atletico Madrid in Girona (1-0), when the Argentinian stated that he was glad that some of his colleagues were increasingly valuing the lowest score victories. It was a reply that Cholo had prepared for a long time, because in 2014, Atlético finished ahead of Barcelona, won the title, and Xavi, then the captain of the Catalans, noted that “Atletico do not have the attitude that should distinguish great teams.””I prefer that we win with a score of 4-0 or even 5-4, but also what is the problem if we win 1-0”, reminds Xavi that Barcelona triumphed at the San Mames stadium in the previous round of Primera, which was their ninth 1-0 win in Primera this season. “That’s how we won the first title of European champion, with Ronald Koeman’s goal in extra time of the match against Sampdoria, although nothing happened in the match before that goal.”Simeone to Xavi: Oh, now you like a 1-0 winThat large number of victories with a minimal result, and the way in which they defended themselves against Bilbao’s attacks in the end, suggests that Barca have progressed psychologically.”I agree with the assessment that we have learned to compete well. Against Real, we did it with the ball in a match worthy of the Super Cup trophy, and in the Copa del Rey duel without the ball. If we do both segments properly, all the better. We will try to control the game while the ball is with us, because we often suffer when it is not.”Barça have room for calculations, Real do not. Los Blancos only care about winning.”I expect for Madrid players to attack. It will be good for them, maybe not for us. We will certainly not change our style, we will try to be proactive, to press high, but it is another matter whether our rival will allow us to do so,” Xavi added.🚨 The squad for #ElClásico! pic.twitter.com/yYVyzJK0Tu— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 18, 2023
