Xavi Hernandez says he does not understand why Barcelona fans are anxious at the prospect of a Champions League Final against Real Madrid.
A Clasico showdown at Wembley on May 25 is a possibility, with both Barca and Madrid currently preparing for semi-finals against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Despite Los Blancos’ Supercopa de Espana triumph in August followed up with League and Cup wins over La Blaugrana, Xavi does not see reason for Barca fans to hope to avoid Madrid in a potential final.
“I do not understand why many Barcelona fans do not want a Barca-Madrid final,” the 33-year-old told BTV today.
“This is football and you have to enjoy it. We could be in the final and win. We must be convinced. It would be spectacular and the key would be for Barca to play as they did at home against Milan.
“Barca has been much higher than Madrid and other teams in the last 10 years. The dominance of Barcelona has been spectacular.
“The problem at Barca is now that the stakes are very high. So much good has been done in these last four or five years, the effort to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals was seen as nothing much.”
The League situation is a different matter, with the Catalans enjoying a 13-point advantage.
“We are fine. We are in an excellent situation. We have to decide the League still, but we are in a great position.
“We were after this from the beginning of the season, it has been a perfect League on our part and most of the players have participated and everybody has felt important.”
Xavi was also asked for his view on Victor Valdes’ decision not to renew his contract beyond its June 2014 expiry.
“I don’t know what Valdes is thinking. Knowing Victory, who is an extraordinary man, I feel bad that he is leaving.
“He is a friend, a reference for the team. He is a guy who seems worthy, but has had the worst media treatment I have seen in my career.”
The veteran also had words of support for another goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas.
“I think it is an injustice. I feel bad for him on the bench. He does not deserve that. Would I see him at Barca? Iker will not come to Barca. He’s very much a madridsta, he will not look outside. I would welcome him, but I do not see him here, honestly.”
