Xavi Hernandez Congratulates Real Madrid– ‘When You Don’t Kill Madrid, They Kill You’
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez had qualms with Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Having declared that Real Madrid were favourites, he saw himself proven right in the most bitter fashion.
The Blaugrana had four starters missing, but he was keen not to use that as an excuse. Speaking to Diario AS after the match, Xavi admitted that Los Blancos were better than his side.
“When football is so even, you have to take advantage of the moments. We didn’t do it in the first half and they did in the second. They have been superior, no excuses. It is a difficult defeat to digest.”
He went on to say that the second goal sunk his team, after wich Real Madrid had acres of space to work in on the break.
“The second goal penalises us a lot. The penalty too… details. We didn’t take advantage of our moments and, as I said at a press conference, Madrid were still favourites. He is the champion of the Champions League, a gentleman club.”
It was a point he emphasized after the match, asking his team to learn from their mistakes, and in essence, learn from Real Madrid.
“It is a difficult night to digest because this is football and I already said yesterday that Madrid were favourites. We have been good, but we have messed up after the 0-2 in the second half. We have to learn to compete better.”
“From my point of view it is a tough result, but we have to focus on the League, and there can be no arguments that they are a great team. They are the League and Champions League champions and they do not forgive. When you don’t kill Madrid, they kill you. We have to learn from our mistakes in the future.”
While Barcelona will lament the result, there will be a degree of frustration with their performance. Having put themselves in a position to win the tie after nearly three quarters of the tie, Barcelona collapsed following Real Madrid’s first goal. They will be licking their wounds ahead of Girona on Monday night, as they look to march onwards towards the league table.
