Barca manager says a 50-50 chance of beating Madrid in El Clasico

Barcelona and Real Madrid will play the latest Spanish El Clasico in the Supercopa de Espana final at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. Xavi Hernandez, manager of Barca, denied that his team slipped this season but admitted that Real are in a better form.

So far, Barca and Real have played 19 games each in the 2023-24 La Liga season. However, Real are on the top of the standings with 48 points, seven above Barca, which are in fourth place. In their first showdown of this campaign, Real defeated Baca 2-1 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on October 28, 2023.

“We played very well against Sevilla, Athletic, Real Madrid – even losing, we deserved much more against them – and against Girona. In the Champions League, we were very good against Porto,” Xavi said at the press conference on Saturday. “I would say we have played very well this season, even better than last year, but one thing is my analysis and another is yours [in the media].”

Barca won the La Liga title last season with a 10-point lead over the runners-up Real but were knocked out by Real in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Moreover, Barca were eliminated from the UEFA Champions early in the group stage. Real advanced to the tournament’s semifinals but lost to the final champions, Manchester City.

“Madrid are perhaps in slightly better form; that is the reality, but there is no favorite. It’s 50-50; it’s a Clasico. It’s the first title of four we have in play this season, and we are where we wanted to be,” Xavi said.

He also expressed his respect for his Real counterpart Carlo Ancelotti, who has been managing the club for all the past El Clasico games Xavi has participated in as a manager.

“He is one of best coaches ever; his honors are there for all to see,” Xavi said of Ancelotti. “He has had success in every country he has worked in. You will not see anyone talk ill of Ancelotti. He is a gentleman, is always respectful and is an example for me. I have extraordinary respect for him.”

Xavi is in his third season as Barca’s boss and has won one La Liga title and one Supercopa de Espana trophy. As his opponent in the past three years, Ancelotti also praised Xavi’s work.

“I think Xavi is doing an optimal job at Barcelona,” Ancelotti said. “It’s true that he doesn’t have my experience, but when you start a job, you don’t have experience. It helps that he was one of the best midfielders in the world. It’s a different job, but the kind of player he was and how he saw football helps him.”

When asked about Sunday’s game, Ancelotti said, “Real Madrid don’t go for revenge.”

“Madrid go all out because it’s what this shirt and this club demands. No revenge,” he said. “They’re an opponent we respect a lot, a strong opponent who’ve beaten us, but the hunger is always the same.”