"We have all seen Madrid refereeing, we'll be sanctioned if we give our opinion"

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said after his side's 4-2 win over Betis that they should "have taken the lead much earlier" but that it was a great win as they played in a stadium where "no one had won this season, with young players".

"We were very good, with the game under control. We dominated a lot and it got complicated for us because Inaki and Araujo didn't get on the same page with a rebound. That goal made us tense, the equaliser came quickly and then we went back to dominating," he told reporters on Sunday.

The Catalan coach also spoke about the controversial refereeing of Real Madrid's victory over Almeria in La Liga: "I agree with Garitano. If we give our opinion, we will be sanctioned. I already said in Getafe that it was going to be very difficult to win this La Liga title."

He pointed out that "people will have enjoyed the four goals, three by Ferran, and because the team worked hard", although he acknowledged that "it's not a rounded game" because they conceded two goals but it's "a great game".

"I spoke to him [Ferran Torres] in the summer, he sent me a spectacular message, he was ready to succeed and that's how it is. He's one of the players with the most mental strength, he's earned it and I'm very happy for him", he said.

Moreover, he said that "Cubarsi is a very capable player as "he doesn't look 16 years old, he is very focused, responsible, with personality".

"I don't think he hasn't lost a single ball, I think he's going to mark an era, like Lamine, who is 16. We are still building and when you talk to them you realise how mature they are. They are the present and the future of the club," he said.

Finally, Xavi was full of praise for Isco: "He's been at an extraordinary level. I think he's happy. I see him as a good boy and I think he's a spectacular talent. He's been at a great level and I think he's made us suffer."

 

January 22, 2024