Xavi Hernandez says he wishes he was still playing for Barcelona ahead of the huge El Clasico match against Real Madrid on Sunday.
Barca travel to the Bernabeu to take on their biggest rivals in La Liga with the two sides level on points at the top of La Liga. Despite their lofty position in the league, Xavi comes into the match under an immense amount of pressure due to their struggles in the Champions League.
The dramatic 3-3 draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday left their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages hanging by a thread. But Xavi oversaw a remarkable 4-0 win at the Bernabeu in March and is hoping a repeat will take some of the glare off him.
In his pre-match press conference, Xavi was asked by a reporter if the fixture made him “cachondo” – a Spanish word which translates into English as “horny”, or “riled up”.
"I don't know if it makes me horny, I don't know if that's the word,” he replied. “But I like to play against Real Madrid. I'm competitive. I'd like to still be a footballer to play in these types of matches.
“Like the day against Inter. It's in these games where you stand up and also as a coach. It's spectacular to play a game like this. Motivation is at its highest, it's an opportunity to extend the leader in the competition".
Xavi also emphasised the fact that his “project” with Barca was far from complete and pleaded with the fans for patience. “It's three points, but it's the morale and the confidence to win a Clásico,” he added.
“It's vital for us and for Real Madrid. Let's see who comes out on top. But the project is still under construction. The slump in the Champions League annoys us, but we're on the right track. We're in a great situation in La Liga. In Europe the outlook isn't good, but the project is under construction and it can't be destroyed now.”
Barca are third in Group C of the Champions League, behind Bayern Munich and Inter, after taking just four points from their opening four games. Their slow start means their fate is in others’ hands – in stark contrast to their form in La Liga.
Xavi’s side have conceded just once in the league so far this season and lead Real thanks to their outstanding goal difference of +19. The Barca boss knows that form is little indication for El Clasico, given they won 4-0 last season against the champions amid a patch of poor form.
“Honestly, it’s unpredictable,” he said. “I think it is the match where the dynamics affect you the least, because you are so focused on El Clasico. Last year we showed as much. We arrived at the Clasico in a bad moment and it went well. We will see how it goes tomorrow. We will try to compete and take the three points. But honestly, it is unpredictable.”
