Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was in much better spirits shortly after the final whistle of the second half against Atletico Madrid, than he was after the end of the first, having been sent off. The Blaugrana coach was all smiles as he caught up with former teammate and Atletico Madrid captain Koke Resurreccion after the match.
Koke was seen giving his post-match interview to the Spanish broadcasters after the game in the mix zone, before Xavi took over for the Barcelona duties.
"You don't stop running, you b******."
Xavi still feeling what it was like to play against Koke. pic.twitter.com/LFxwN8bWSm
— Football España (@footballespana_) March 18, 2024
“You don’t stop running, you b******”, Xavi told Koke with a smile.
Koke asked how Xavi was, to which he responded ‘good, better now’, and Xavi told Koke to take care of himself, before wishing him luck. Koke then urged Xavi to pull through so they would see each other again in the Champions League semi-finals. Barcelona know they will meet one of Atletico or Borussia Dortmund if they get past Paris Saint-Germain.
Xavi: "We are playing very difficult games, competing with kids who are young, but also prepared."
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 17, 2024
The pair were regular opponents for a time as players for the same two clubs less than a decade ago, and even shared a dressing for Spain on three occasions as international teammates.
🎙️ Koke: “We have to realize the situation we're in because we want to be in the Champions League next season.” pic.twitter.com/QcquMLyTgY
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 17, 2024
