http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604’s Xavi pours salt on Real Madrid’s wounds – La Liga news
Barcelona midfielder, Xavi Hernandez, has taken a stab at Real Madrid by hinting that Manchester United are a better footballing side than their bitter Spanish rivals.
Barcelona and Manchester United recently clashed in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley. The Catalans dominated the match from start to finish, cruising to a comfortable 3-1 victory on the night to seal their second European title in the last three
years. Barca made Manchester United look very ordinary, and their performance lent credence to claims that they are the best footballing side in the world today.
Xavi said, “There have been some great teams in history, Pele's http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858, (Johan) Cruyff's Ajax, (Arrigo) Sacchi's Milan but in the past 20 years this Barcelona team is the best."
Even though his team tore Manchester United apart at Wembley, Xavi revealed that he admires the style of the Red Devils over that of Spanish giants, Real Madrid. The midfielder has often criticized the defensive way in which Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho,
sets up his team. He claims that United’s approach to football is much better than the ‘anti football’ tactics employed by Real Madrid.
Xavi admits that Madrid are a more difficult side to beat, but only because they focus all their attention towards http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904.
Looking back on the Champions League final, Xavi wonders what have happened if Barcelona’s opponents for the title had been http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-c30728 Madrid instead of Manchester United. Speaking on the matter, he said, “Madrid were the hardest opponents but not because they
played football but because they wanted to destroy the game. I like Manchester United's approach a thousand times better. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Real did play."
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296, who shone the brightest in the 3-1 drubbing of Manchester United in the Champions League final.
He added, “He is the best player of all time - better than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pele-c40189, Maradona or Cruyff. We have to protect him as he is crucial. Without him we would not be what we are."
Barcelona are the La Liga champions for the 2010/11 season and would look to protect their double when the new season commences in August.
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