Xavi Hernandez has stated that the El Clasico came at the right time for the Barcelona’s team.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez claims the El Classico game came at the right moment for them.
The Spanish side has been in good form couple with their victory over Galatasaray in the Europa League.
Speaking after the victory away from home in the Europa League Xavi insists Sunday’s game will be another story.
“I think the Clasico arrives at a good moment for us. But I have seen everything in football and I know that Sunday will be another story.”
Speaking about their victory in Turkey Xavi claims his side showed character in the as they played with patience in the game.
“We played really well and showed a lot of character,” Xavi added. “There’s a lot of merit in coming from behind here.
“We knew how and when to attack, we played with patience and we came from behind at a difficult ground. Galatasaray defended well, man-marking, but we did much better than the first leg [which was goalless]. It’s a deserved win and could have been by more, we were better in both games.
After going down a goal in less than 30 minutes of the first half game Barcelona youngster Pedri scored a wonderful goal to put his side on a level before half time.
The youngster hit back after his goal was compared to former Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi.
“No way”, Pedri said. “Messi has scored much better goals. It is crazy to compare me with Messi.
“I don’t really remember the goal, though, so I will have to watch it back. I remember Ferran gave me the ball, I feinted [inside] because I saw a leg coming and again, I think, until I shot. Things just come to me on the pitch. I’m lucky in that I don’t have to really think.”
Pedri also receive praise from the Barcelona’s boss after the ex-Spain international claims the youngster us capable of doing more.
“The goal is sublime,” Xavi said in a news conference. “It’s of real beauty, the pause in the build-up … Pedri is capable of that and much more — and he’s sill only 19. What a privilege. I can’t praise him anymore.”
