"Madrid are stronger when Barcelona are stronger"

With almost no time to think outside the box, Xavi Hernandez is focused on the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid. After beating Osasuna, the Catalan giants go into the game feeling a little better than they did before leaving for Saudi Arabia.
"The team is very motivated, excited. A final, a 'Clasico'. It's impossible to have a better scenario. We have the example of last season, it's the ideal match for this year. To dominate, to impose our style. We're a little less in form than Madrid, that's the reality, but when the ball rolls there is no favourite. It's a 'Clasico'," said Xavi.
Asked about the possible return to the four midfielders, Xavi assures that it does not depend on Pedri's condition: "No, it doesn't depend on him. He's 100% and we'll decide. Our DNA for 30 years that Cruyff introduced is what we want to achieve. It's what we're looking for and our style".
The day less rest compared to Real Madrid is not very significant for Xavi: "It's not very important. They also played extra time in a hard fought match. Last year, we had extra time against Betis and in the final we played the best game in the last two years in the Super Cup.
"I don't agree that we haven't played well. I remember Athletic, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Girona... in the Champions League we competed well against Porto. In fact, I would say that we have played better than last season. But of course, one thing is what I see and another is what you analyse," stressed Xavi Hernández.
Xavi concluded by talking about favouritism in this 'Clasico': "Madrid are stronger when Barcelona are stronger. Since I've been in charge, if we've won any title, we've had to go through Real Madrid. We beat them in the final, at home in La Liga, they knocked us out in the Copa del Rey and now it's the final. They react when they see a strong Barca".