Barcelona coach Xavi commented on his team’s victory over Real Madrid in the first semi-final match of the Spanish King’s Cup. Transmits words Movistar.
Recently, the squad has been showing a level of cohesion that suggests a united unit. They managed to disrupt Real Madrid’s tempo, preventing the opponents from carving out clear chances, yet the Catalan side was not comfortable with how the play unfolded on the night. The coach emphasized the need to improve the overall performance even as the team celebrated the result.
The match took place at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, where Barcelona edged Real Madrid 1-0 to take a slim lead into the return leg. The decisive moment arrived in the 26th minute when a miscue from a Royal Club defender ended with the ball ending up in his own net, gifting Barcelona a crucial goal. This own goal shifted the balance of the tie and set the visitors on a path to defend the narrow advantage in front of a hostile crowd.
Looking ahead, the second leg is scheduled for April 5 at Camp Nou in Barcelona. The upcoming clash carries significant weight as Barcelona will aim to close out the tie on the road to the final, while Real Madrid seeks a comeback of epic proportions on home soil. Both teams will need to refine their approach, tighten defensive organization, and convert opportunities in front of goal if they hope to progress.
In parallel action, the first semi-final of the day saw Osasuna face Athletic Bilbao. The encounter produced a victory for Osasuna, setting up a high-stakes showdown in the other half of the bracket and injecting further drama into the tournament.
Separately, Javier Tebas, the former president of the Spanish football league, stated that Barcelona would be unable to sign new players during the upcoming summer transfer window. This development adds another layer of context to the evolving dynamics of the club as they navigate future squad planning and strategic decisions. (via Movistar)