Barcelona were better than Arsenal: Xavi Hernandez
Barcelona Midfielder Xavier Hernandez insists that his team played better than Arsenal in the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. It was the first leg of the UEFA Champions League final-16.
The Spanish champions had seemed in-charge of the game for most of the 90 minutes, especially in the first half. Spain’s World Cup winning striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629 gave the away team the lead after 26 minutes. Barca could easily have made it 2-0 before the first
half break, but missed number of good opportunities. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 put the ball in the net just before the whistle blew, but was ruled off-side.
Barcelona lived to rue those misses as Arsenal played much better in the second half. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771 came off the bench to score a spectacular
winner for the Gunners.
Speaking to a Spanish newspaper, Xavi said it was a defeat his team did not deserve, but added that there was a lot of football yet to be played in the tie with the return leg coming up in three weeks.
“It was a shame because we felt we were superior to Arsenal,” the 31-year-old said. “The result is worse than last season’s, as we had a draw in that match, and now we have a loss. The team made significant errors, but played good football. All we lacked
was the finishing touch. We didn’t convert our endless opportunities. The match was up for the taking, but failed to win. The result was somewhat unfair.”
Xavi, who was an instrumental part of Spain’s team that won the world cup, said that Barcelona knows what is needed in the return leg. The midfielder added that Barcelona will be ready when Arsenal come to visit and one away goal may go a long way towards
paving their way into the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League. Xavi added that Barcelona respect Arsenal a lot, and will not take them for granted. He said no one was expecting a replay of last year’s return leg, where Barcelona thrashed Arsenal by
four goals to one. Xavi said he realised that Arsenal was a much stronger and better team now, and Barca would have to make new plans for them on 8th March.
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola is also expecting a great second leg against Arsenal at home. Barcelona is looking to win their third Champions League crown in six years, and have to fight off the one-goal deficit at home against Arsenal.
Guardiola said the second leg would be a fantastic game. He said it was always a spectacle when two teams have the same mentality, and are looking to play attractive football. The Barca boss said that somehow Arsenal had managed to get the better of his
team in London, but when the Gunners come to visit Camp Nou, they would not be spared any room on the pitch. He said his team would make sure that Arsene Wenger’s boys are not allowed to roam around free.
Guardiola commended Arsenal and said that it was their hard work and persistence that got them the win, but his team still played to the best of its ability. Pep Guardiola, who is also a former Barcelona player, said he studied the Arsenal team well in London
and already had some plans in store for them.
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