If Madrid have switched off, it’s because of us says Barca coach
The Hindu
Xavi said he thinks Barcelona winning the top flight for the first time since 2019 would be a magnificent achievement which some are trying to “minimise”.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez believes if Real Madrid have given up on La Liga, it is because of his side’s superb season, he told a news conference Sunday.
Champions Madrid lost 3-2 at home against Villarreal on Saturday and league leaders Barca can move 15 points clear of Los Blancos with a win at home against Girona on Monday.
Madrid thrashed Barcelona 4-0 last week to reach the Copa del Rey final, despite the gap between the teams in La Liga.
“I don’t know if they’ve switched off or not, but if they have, it’s thanks to us,” said Xavi.
“Tomorrow it’s important to increase the gap to 15 points. It won’t mean anything is sealed, but it would be a spectacular distance.
“It doesn’t interest me if Madrid do something or don’t, what interests me is what we do.”
Madrid are in the Copa del Rey final and face Chelsea on Wednesday in a Champions League quarter-final first leg clash.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.