| Xavi also received a yellow card after arguing with Daniel Carvajal in the hair (Photo: AFP) |
After the 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, Barcelona’s head coach Xavi said that he had mixed feelings after seeing his team play, but at the same time denied that they were initially set up to defend in Thursday’s cup match at the Bernabéu.
“Our plan was to possess the ball for a long time in Real’s half, win duels and control the game, but we couldn’t boast of that today. However, we were able to defend in an extraordinary way when we did not have the ball. Defense is also part of the game, which is why this victory is very important, we won a huge victory because we were able to minimize Madrid’s scoring chances. They had an opportunity through Rodrygo” – quotes elperiodicomediterraneo.com Havit, who for example Daniel Carvajal he apparently forgot about his first-half jump.
Speaking of Xavi and Carvajal… In a retrospective article, Marca recalled the tense moments and conflicts of Thursday’s match, such as the one when Vinícius Junior tackled Frenkie de Jong and Xavi and Daniel Carvajal’s collusion with a yellow card, for which the coach of the Catalans received a yellow card.
“You are crazy” the Barca coach told the defender twice. According to Marca’s report, the cameras recorded the incident, but not Carvajal’s response. Xavi received a yellow card for collusion.
Regarding the second leg, Xavi said that this result is only a small step, he still considers Real to be more likely to progress, because he sees that the Madrid team is very strong physically.
The head coach of Real, Carlo Ancelotti, also highlighted Barcelona’s defense in connection with the cup semi-final.
„We are happy with the game, but not with the result, because we were not efficient – formulated Charles Ancelotti after blowing. – There was a mistake in our game, we had a bad pass, after which the own goal came, but if we can play the same way in the Camp Nou, only more efficiently, then we can advance. Barcelona did not deserve to win. We played one of our best games in terms of possession (Real had 64 percent of the ball – ed.). Barcelona’s defensive play was a bit surprising – they learned to defend.”
The second leg of the duel will be held on April 5, and the final of the Spanish King’s Cup will be held on May 6 in Seville.
SPANISH KING’S CUP
PRELIMINARY, 1ST MATCH
Real Madrid–Barcelona 0–1
MadridSantiago Bernabéu Stadium. V.: Jose Munuera
Real Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Militao, Nacho (Rodrygo, 67.) – Modric (Alvaro Rodriguez, 84.), Camavinga, Kroos (Tchouaméni, 74.) – Valverde, Benzema, Vinícius Júnior. Head coach: Charles Ancelotti.
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – R. Araújo, Koundé, Marcos Alonso, A. Balde – Kessie (Sergi Roberto, 86), Busquets, F. de Jong – Raphinha (Fati, 69.), Ferran Torres, Gavi. Head coach: Xavi.
G.: Militao (26) – own goal
The second leg will be held on April 5.
ON THE OTHER BRANCH
Osasuna-Athletic Bilbao 1-0 (Ezzalzuli 47.)
