Xavi Hernandez hailed his FC Barcelona crew for being “good” and dealing “completely” towards Atletico Madrid on Sunday, although he felt his crimson card dismissal was “unfair” and “pointless”.
Barca performed what many felt was their finest recreation of the season within the Metropolitano, and went again to Catalonia with a 3-0 win that put them second place two factors away from Girona going into the worldwide break.
Submit match, Xavi instructed DAZN Espana that he was “very completely satisfied” along with his aspect’s exhibiting, as a number of gamers appeared to have been given a lift following passage to the Champions League quarterfinals midweek.
“We have been good. It was the same recreation to the one towards Napoli. Robert [Lewandowski] has been very lively. Fermin [Lopez], Joao [Felix] … We discovered the third man. It was an excellent match of our philosophy of play. The work we did went completely,” the supervisor beamed.
With 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo once more strong on the again and serving to hold a clear sheet, Xavi mentioned that Atleti “generated little or no” due to Barca’s sturdy exhibiting defensively-speaking.
Contemplating accidents to Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, one thing much more exceptional is that this resounding victory in considered one of Spain’s most tough grounds was achieved with a makeshift midfield of Ilkay Gundogan, Fermin and Sergi Roberto.
Gundogan was excellent as a pivot, in a extra defensive place than the one he was anticipated to play due to a final minute niggle suffered by present stand-in and regular middle again Andreas Christensen, which meant Roberto bought the nod.
“The thought was to place Gundogan in as a midfielder on the correct, however Christensen had some discomfort. We selected Fermin as a result of he assaults the areas very properly. Gundo on the base of midfield additionally offers us loads. He all the time sees the free man. He is an ideal match in positional play,” Xavi mentioned, complimenting the German.
As for being dismissed within the first half, Xavi thought it wasn’t known as for.
“The least vital factor is the sending off,” he insisted. “The fourth official instructed me it is due to the gestures [I made]. I make gestures as a result of I am passionate. The sending off was pointless and unfair, however the vital factor is the crew.”