Xavi wants Barca 15 points ahead of Real in La Liga
Losing Real 0-4 in the semi-final second leg and being eliminated from the King's Cup on April 5, Barca only had La Liga left to strive in the end of the season. Today, the Catalan club have the opportunity to widen the gap at the top of the table to 15 points when Real lost 2-3 against Villarreal in the early match. Never before in La Liga history has a top team lost its advantage when creating such a gap at this stage of the season.
Xavi affirmed that the La Liga championship race is not over even when Barca widens the gap with Real to 15 points. "Even if we win, Barca is not sure of the championship because there are still 10 rounds," he said before the match against Girona. "When we were crowned, we just celebrated. 15 points is a spectacular difference."
Xavi also reiterated the view of former Real coach Zinedine Zidane when he said that winning La Liga reflects stability. "Winning La Liga is the focus," the 43-year-old coach expressed. "Barca have won the Champions League five times, and success in this tournament is a must, but winning La Liga brings stability. Winning La Liga is underestimated compared to the Champions League but for us, that's it. that's incredible".
Xavi sees today's match against Girona as a good test for Barca after being eliminated from the King's Cup. He admitted Barca made many personal mistakes against Real, and had to grow up, play better, fight effectively and stronger. "They control the game but can't take advantage," Xavi analyzed. "Statistics show that Barca is the team that runs and sprints the most. We are growing as a team and compete well. But in big games, Barca lacks this maturity, and that's what we are doing. try to improve".
In October 2021, Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman when Barca finished ninth in La Liga. The 43-year-old coach helped Barca finish second last season, toppled Real in the Spanish Super Cup this season and aim for the first La Liga title since 2019. He proudly said: "We respect the starting point and the position. current Barca, especially against a great club like Real Madrid, champions of LaLiga and Champions League."
When asked about an early exit from the Champions League and Europa League, Xavi emphasized Barca is still in the early stages of a new era. According to the Spanish coach, Barca is on the right track when winning the Spanish Super Cup, about to win La Liga, but needs time to improve in the European arena.
