Copa del Rey: Xavi hails 'extraordiary defending' as Barca beat Real Madrid

03.03.2023 - 10:25 thenationalnews.com

Barcelona boss Xavi hailed his side's defensive effort as a resolute rearguard kept Real Madrid at bay and came away from the Bernabeu with a 1-0 win to hand the Catalans the advantage in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

A depleted Barca secured victory courtesy of an Eder Militao own goal and halted. mini slum that saw them eliminated from the Europa League and lose to lowly Almeria over the past week. "We were extraordinary defending without the ball," said Xavi after the clasico win. "Defending is part of the game, that's why the win is very important, it was a tremendous victory.

Today we minimised Madrid." Real had more possession and Xavi said that was not his gameplan. "They pushed us into our own half a lot, they subdued us with the ball," he added. "It's not the percentage of possession we're looking for.

We need to play with the ball because otherwise we won't control games." Barca resume their La Liga title push on Sunday when they host a Valencia side fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.

Barcelona as Robert Lewandowski Eder Militao Samuel Lino

The victory dents Madrid's ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans close to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019.

Barça 12 points clear in title race after Kessié’s late winner against Real Madrid

After 26 matches and 91 minutes of nerves and tension, a swipe of Franck Kessié’s boot virtually delivered the league for Barcelona. Barcelona had been hit by what appeared to be a late Marco Asensio winner that would have reopened the title race only to witness it get ruled out by VAR and the tightest of offsides. Then they had resisted, and now they were virtually champions. One last run, a Robert Lewandowski backheel and a delivery from Alejandro Balde left Kessié there to finish the move the match and probably the season.

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid: Barca take huge step towards title as Franck Kessie nets late winner in Clasico

Barcelona took another huge step towards the Liga title as Franck Kessie scored a late winner to sink Real Madrid 2-1 in El Clasico. The visitors, who led early on, had a late goal ruled out for offside by VAR and were stunned when Kessie netted the winner for Barca. Ad The hosts had a couple of early chances to take the lead, as Raphinha’s bullet header was well saved by Thibaut Courtois, before Sergio Busquets fired over the bar.

Carlo Ancelotti promises relentless Real Madrid approach against Barcelona

Real Madrid will not hold back in El Clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday as they bid to close a nine-point gap their arch-rivals at the top of La Liga.

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid Will Try To Beat Liverpool, Not Make 'Calculations'

Real Madrid will go on the attack against Liverpool this week instead of trying to protect their Champions League last 16 first leg advantage, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday. Holders Madrid thrashed Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield in February, with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior scoring twice, along with an Eder Militao header, after the hosts had moved two goals ahead. Despite their three-goal cushion, Ancelotti said his team had to focus on winning against the visitors on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu to reach the quarter-finals.

Barcelona Beat Valencia, Move Nine Points Clear As Real Madrid Stumble

Barcelona clung on with 10 men to beat Valencia 1-0 and move nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday, thanks to Raphinha's early header. The champions could not find a way through against Real Betis in an entertaining 0-0 draw later on at the Benito Villamarin. Brazilian winger Raphinha nodded Barca in front in the 16th minute. But after Ferran Torres missed a penalty and Ronald Araujo was sent off, the hosts were left fighting tooth and nail for the three points.