Xavi: The Real Madrid match? I already said at Getafe that there were things that didn’t add up for me

Xavi Hernandez expressed his satisfaction with Barcelona’s 4-2 win against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday.

The Barcelona coach believes that his team have taken a step forward and hopes the game against Betis serves as the turning point the team has been seeking.

Isco netted twice to equalise for Betis after Barcelona took a two-goal lead, but a couple of late goals from Joao Felix and Ferran Torres clinched it for the visitors

“We were doing very well when they scored the goals,” Xavi said.

“We dominated against Betis a lot at their stadium. In a specific play where [Ronald] Araujo and Inaki [Pena] didn’t understand each other, I don’t know if there was a previous foul…

“The goal made us tense, the equaliser came, but then we dominated again. It’s an important step forward in a stadium where nobody had won, with young players and personality.

“Barcelona fans would have enjoyed our performance. It wasn’t a complete match, but it was a great game.”

Ferran rediscovering his form

Ferran Torres netted a hat-trick and Xavi was full of his praise for his players, who has come under scrutiny for his displays this season.

“I value him a lot,” Xavi added.

“He turned the situation around on his own. We spoke in the summer; he sent me a message saying he was ready to succeed at Barcelona, and he was very clear about it.

“He’s mentally very strong, and I’m very happy for him because he’s an extraordinary guy. He has earned it.”

Remarks over the Real Madrid win

Meanwhile, Real Madrid secured a 3-2 home victory over Almeria in a game that was marked by a few controversial referee decisions. Xavi avoided discussing Real Madrid’s game in details but complained about past decisions against Barcelona.

“I’ve seen it,” Xavi noted. “I agree with [Almeria coach Gaizka] Garitano’s words and with a reflection from [journalist Alfredo] Relaño.

“If we talk, we get sanctioned, but everyone saw it. I already said at Getafe that there were things that didn’t add up for me in this league.

“There are things we don’t control, and everyone saw it. I remember the penalty at Getafe, Joao’s goal at Granada… and it’s not talked about.

“We would already have six more points. They are not excuses. It’s the reality. Luck is always against us. Today, we need to talk about the team.”

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