Xavi: 'Only a madman would care about marking Bellingham when playing Real'

Saudi Arabia sees Jude Bellingham as Real's key player, but coach Xavi insists Barca will not focus on containing the star in the Spanish Super Cup final.

* Barca - Real: 2am Monday, January 15, Hanoi time.

After Karim Benzema left and Vinicius was constantly injured, Bellingham became Real's brightest star since the beginning of the season. The English midfielder scored 17 and assisted five goals in 23 matches in all competitions, including a double that helped Real win 2-1 at Barca in round 11 of La Liga in October 2023.

Bellingham scores the winning goal for Real Madrid against Barca at the Olympic Stadium, Barcelona in La Liga on October 28, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Instead, the Spanish coach wants Barca to compete collectively and play on equal terms with Real. "We have a plan to win, and Real are always hungry for titles. They always are," Xavi said. "I have the feeling that Real will become even better when they see a strong Barca competing with them. I feel motivated before the final."

Before going to Saudi Arabia to play the Spanish Super Cup, Barca were seven points behind Real in La Liga. Xavi admitted that Real were in better form, while denying that Barca had been in decline since the beginning of the season. The Spanish coach cited Barca's good performance in wins over Sevilla, Bilbao, even in losses to Real and Girona in La Liga, as well as the two wins over Porto in the Champions League group stage.

"I see Barca playing very well this season, even better than last year," said Xavi. "But this is my analysis, different from what is published in the media. Real are probably in better form, that's the reality, but no team is rated higher before the Super Cup final. This is the first title that Barca wants this season and we are on the right track."

Coach Xavi (right) takes a photo with his colleague Ancelotti at the Spanish Super Cup at an event before the final match at Al Awwal Stadium, Riyadh on January 13. Photo: FC Barcelona

At the Al Awwal Stadium in Riyadh in the final, Barca were without Raphinha, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Inigo Martinez, Gavi due to injury, while Joao Cancelo was doubtful. But Pedri returned in the semi-final against Osasuna and could start.

As a result, Barca can return to a four-man midfield and Xavi insists that he will adhere to the principles of the legendary Johan Cruyff. "We want to impose our personality and DNA on the game, Cruyff's ideas," the 43-year-old coach said. "The identity must be a style of play that fits Barca's DNA, taking the ball from Real and dominating the game. Regardless of whether Barca play three, four or five midfielders, the idea remains the same. Different names can be chosen, but the idea is always the same."

Xavi will play his ninth Clasico as Barca coach, all against Carlo Ancelotti. Xavi has lost four and won four, including a 3-1 victory in last season's Spanish Super Cup final. The Catalan club were slightly better, scoring three goals through Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri, while Real's only goal came through Karim Benzema in the third minute of injury time in the second half.

"Ancelotti is one of the best coaches in history," Xavi praised his colleague. "He has been successful in every country he has worked in. You will not find anyone speaking ill of Ancelotti. Ancelotti is a gentleman, always respectful and an example for me. I have special respect for him."

Hong Duy

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