Xavi Hernandez has conceded that the Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid next Saturday is too close to call.
The two sides head into the Santiago Bernabeu showdown with contrasting fortunes, the Catalans’ beating Villarreal 3-0 while Los Blancos suffered a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla, but the midfielder insists form is out of the question when the pair lock horns.
“Given the last round of matches, Barcelona seem to be reaching [the Clasico] in the best shape, but in a Clasico you never know what will happen,” he told Marca.
“There isn’t a favourite and [people] will see a good show. Despite their defeat at Sevilla, I think Madrid come [into the game] in good shape.
“Barcelona are in extraordinary form, even without [Lionel] Messi. The team are doing great, with a maximum desire to compete.
“I see them in a phenomenal light. I experienced it last year with Luis Enrique. He has a fantastic coaching team and the club have an amazing chance of defending their trophies.
“[On Lionel Messi] ultimately he will decide himself, based on how he feels, that is if he’s okay and has no pain in his knee.
“It can be a problem sometimes, but the feelings are his so we’ll see. There are still [eight] days to go.
“I can see him playing with the ball and running, but we’ll see. It’s for the good of the match and football in general. Football can’t afford to see Messi stay off the pitch.
“[On Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘struggles’], there was also talk of a drought before [Madrid’s] game against Espanyol and he scored five goals.
“At the end of the day, they are just small dips and he’ll continue making a difference.
“He’s a great player and an incredible goalscorer. At the end of the season, he’ll have recorded his usual numbers.
[On Cesc Fabregas’ claim Barca’s Halloween stunt wouldn’t have happened in Xavi’s time], it’s not for me to say.
“I don’t know what really happened. Yes, it’s true that Andres [Iniesta] has publicly apologised and even called Pedro Leon, but the issue has been settled.
“We must talk more about football and not these things.
“[On Barca being title favourites if they beat Madrid], they would be six points ahead and strike a moral blow, but these are all assumptions.
“We’ll see what happens because predicting what happens in a Clasico is very difficult.”
