Barcelona will likely be lacking three key stars once they journey to the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday to play the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg. But Barcelona coach Xavi is relishing the prospect of going through their arch-rivals.
“Going to the Santiago Bernabeu always excites me,” Xavi mentioned at his pre-match press convention on Wednesday. “I need to play. I adore it! It’s an important feeling and that is why I inform my gamers that they must be courageous. We are in a very good place. We have an opportunity to win the title. This is a chance to react. We Will exit to win and present his character.
Barca presently lead Real within the La Liga standings by seven factors. But with accidents to key gamers akin to Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedry, they endured a scoring hunch of late. Between them, the trio have scored 40 objectives for Barcelona this season, with 25 coming from Lewandowski, eight from Dembele Nettigne and 7 from Pedri.
Lewandowski is out with a hamstring pressure in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Almeria, whereas Pedri and Dembele are out with hamstring accidents.
Xavi additional added that Real Madrid will begin as favourites.
“It could be nice for us to win on Thursday on the Santiago Bernabeu. But we face a giant opponent… They are favourites.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
