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Xavi reacts to Barcelona’s Clasico win over Real Madrid with 35% possession, hails Kroos and Modric.
In the Copa del Rey Clasico victory over Real Madrid, Barcelona had just 35% of the ball possession, and Xavi was quick to laud Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Eder Militao scored on his own goal midway through the first half to give the Blaugrana a razor-thin 1-0 victory to carry back to Camp Nou for the second leg of a heavyweight semifinal matchup.
Barcelona only pulled off four attempts in total, and Xavi admits that his team struggled to deal with Modric and Kroos‘ second consecutive masterpiece in ball retention.
Barcelona’s boss told reporters afterwards of his team posting their lowest possession percentage score in a Clasico clash since 2013-14: “The result is very positive. I’m happy with the work and solid defence. We minimised Real Madrid in their stadium. The game was difficult. The victory is tremendous. We didn’t know how to keep the ball, it was difficult for us to win duels on the field.
We have defended well without the ball. We have fought well without the ball. The people are supportive. I am satisfied, but we have to improve with the ball: we cannot give the opponent dominance. I am satisfied with the result and not so much with the match.
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“The plan was different. We wanted to dominate in the rival’s stadium… But today we couldn’t. We weren’t neat with the ball. Madrid didn’t have clear chances. It’s a very important victory for us. Today we cannot boast.
This is not the game we want. We want to generate more scoring chances. It is not the game we want. They dominated us with the ball. How do you take the ball from Kroos and Modric? They have to be valued and they’re extraordinary”.
Xavi added on Barcelona seeing little of the ball – with his tactical approach all about adopting the tiki-taka, pass-and-move system that he once formed part of under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage: “They have dominated us with the ball. They are still favourites. I’m not satisfied with 35% possession. It’s not the percentage we’re looking for.”
Barcelona recorded their lowest possession percentage during this time period in any game from any tournament (35.3%), while Real Madrid recorded their greatest possession total in El Clasico (64.7) in all competitions since the 2013–14 season.
Before taking on Madrid in the second leg of their Cup del Rey matchup on April 5, Barcelona has four La Liga games to play, including another matchup with Real at Camp Nou.