Xavi on Mourinho and Bayern

[Barcaman]

FC Barcelona midfielder and Spain international, Xavi Hernandez, spoke for Catalan newspaper Sport.

On Mourinho:

"I don't want people to say that I always attack Mourinho because that is not my intention, but it is evident that I don't like the football he plans on the pitch."

"I was captivated by the Real Madrid of the galacticos. I was crazy about watching them play like this because they had an idea and a concept ... but Mourinho's Real Madrid didn't have any of this, they have not left a legacy for the future."


On Champions league exit:

"In Germany it is not the same, they don't have duels of this intensity, this historic rivalry."

"We have both fallen two consecutive years in the semi-finals and that is not normal. This year the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey wore us down. They were very hard. If we continue like this it is inevitable we will arrive worse than them in April or May."

"Matches in the Copa del Rey should be one game. If the Federation want to see Spanish teams in the Champions League final more often they have to do their bit."

 

[Kerrybai]

Didn't he also say recently that he feels well enough to play a game every 3 days? Seems a bit odd to say that and then complain about too many matches.

 

[Barcaman]

I found those comments a bit strange as well.

 

[Eetu]

I don't think there's too much contradiction between the two statements. Playing every three days is just reality for most of the season and that can't be changed. However, if they want teams to be somewhat fresh at a certain part of the season, they should relax the schedule before that. For example, in England, don't they have bigger share of the matches earlier on in the season? Meanwhile in Germany they have less matches in the league, and that allows them more freedom in scheduling.

 

[JamDav1982]

Xavi is making excuses and it is a bit worrying if people at Barca are blaming that rather than their individual performances and tatics.

It looks is if it may be nothing has been learnt from the poor performances in big games this season.

 

[Irish_Cules]

He is right about the Copa del Rey though. Just in terms of giving smaller teams a chance to progress, it's much better than having two legs. There are less chances of an upset over two legs.

 

[Paganinisrvnge]

Xavi making more and more excuses. It's kind of embarrassing. Check what I posted in his thread.

 

[Galning]

He is right about the Copa del Rey though. Just in terms of giving smaller teams a chance to progress, it's much better than having two legs. There are less chances of an upset over two legs.

This is true.
It also has been the case for the last 3-4 seasons that in April/May our calendar is something like Chelsea-Madrid-Random team-Chelsea-Madrid.

 

[Catorce]

I so hope it's going to be 1 leg knock-out in CdR. But I think it's wishful thinking...

 

[AnfieldEd]

Well it is more revenue 2 games isn't it. Plus you only have one domestic cup. England have two.

 

[JamDav1982]

This is true.
It also has been the case for the last 3-4 seasons that in April/May our calendar is something like Chelsea-Madrid-Random team-Chelsea-Madrid.

Was the semi finals not something like two months before the Bayern games?

In previous seasons the calendar was far worse than this year. They have moved the final and the semis are earlier are they not?

Excuses from Xavi and quite poor ones.

 

[Catorce]

Well it is more revenue 2 games isn't it. Plus you only have one domestic cup. England have two.

To be honest, I don't give a rat's ass about revenue. It's not the main source of income for us, and I just don't like the fact 2-legged ties are in favor of big clubs. A cup tournament should have the element of surprise, which just isn't there atm. Once in a while there will be an upset caused by a small team (like Madrid was knocked out by a small club a few years back IIRC), but that should happen more often.

And it cures the Clasico-disease which infected us all for the last few years. Too many Clasico's.

 

[Galning]

Was the semi finals not something like two months before the Bayern games?

In previous seasons the calendar was far worse than this year. They have moved the final and the semis are earlier are they not?

Yeah weren't the semi-finals against Chelsea? I was talking about previous years.

To be honest, I don't give a rat's ass about revenue. It's not the main source of income for us, and I just don't like the fact 2-legged ties are in favor of big clubs. A cup tournament should have the element of surprise, which just isn't there atm. Once in a while there will be an upset caused by a small team (like Madrid was knocked out by a small club a few years back IIRC), but that should happen more often.

And it cures the Clasico-disease which infected us all for the last few years. Too many Clasico's.

How can you forget the mighty Alcorcon!

 

[brockg777]

How about admitting our defense has been poor, pressing went to shit and no scorers have been consistent apart from Leo.

 

[PhilS]

I love the format of the Copa. Home and away is the true test, just like in CL. Pruning Liga to 16 or 18 teams is a good idea. Many players Xavi's age have retired from their national teams.

Tito overplayed Xavi this year, the tone of these remarks reflects that.