FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.11.2009 16:48

Xavi: "We want the three points from Real Madrid"

Berta Brau

Xavi Hernández is confident that FC Barcelona fair better against Real Madrid on Sunday than he did in the pre-match showdown on computer console game FIFA 2010 as he took on Karim Benzema and lost.

The Catalan playmaker is one of the best players in world football on the field, but when it comes to controlling himself and his team-mates on the screen he is not quite as adept. In an advertising stunt, Xavi took the reins of Barça in the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training complex while in Madrid's Valdebebas centre Benzema was playing as Los Merengues. While the Blaugrana star tried his best it was the Frenchman that ran out a 0-3 winner. "I have said before I do not know how to play this game and I am sure that the team will play better on Sunday," Xavi said afterwards.

"We want the three points"

"We are not thinking about beating Real Madrid by many goals," he continued. "We want the three points and that is what we will go out to win. We have a lot of respect for them and we must be careful because historically these are complicated games.

"They are the leaders at the moment and they are scoring goals at the moment. But we are at home and we are highly motivated for the game."

Small details

"The clásicos are unpredictable games that are decided on small details," Xavi stated. "We have to try and dominate possession and play like we know how, which is to go forward. We want to play our own game and maintain the style that has brought us good results so far. We have our philosophy and how Madrid play does not interest me."

Two different philosophies

When asked whether he felt the game would be between clubs with one having a great youth policy and the other having spent a great deal Xavi was not impressed. "I do not like to think like that. The teams both have their own ideas of how to play. Real Madrid were the victims of our success last season and now, with new players there, they are looking for their style of play and things have yet to turn out well. Now if I had to choose one of the philosophies I would say that I prefer ours."

Winning and losing

"Both teams have something to lose because you do lose a clásico it affects you. We both have things to lose, but we also both have something to win. It will be an intense game and will be difficult to win."