FC Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 in La Liga in their most recent fixture, and Xavi Hernandez said it was a ‘very important victory’ for them.
Barcelona are now one step closer to the La Liga title with the win over Atletico Madrid. The Catalan outfit enjoys an 11-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who are the defending champions.
With just eight games to go, Barcelona remains the overwhelming and outright favourites to win the La Liga title. Barcelona have 76 points from 30 games in La Liga so far this season, while Real Madrid have 65 points from 30 games.
Speaking after Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid, Xavi Hernandez said their win over Atletico Madrid was key to their goal of winning the La Liga title.
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Xavi on Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid: “It’s a very important victory”
“It’s a very important victory. It was key to our goal of winning the league. We beat a great team. They had chances, but we dominated and we had to score the second goal that would have given us peace of mind. But it’s a constant in this League. We have been superior,” Xavi said [via Barca Universal].
Barcelona have the best defensive record in La Liga this season. The Catalan outfit have only conceded nine goals in the Spanish top flight so far this season.
Speaking of Barcelona’s excellent defensive record, Xavi said: “It’s not normal to concede 9 goals in 30 games, but I’m very happy with the way the team works, that they work hard until the last second, it’s something that gives us a lot now and in the future.”
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said Barcelona are on the verge of a La Liga title win and congratulated the Catalan outfit.
Xavi said the words of Diego Simeone are appreciated but stressed that Barcelona have not yet won the La Liga title.
He said: “If Simeone is already congratulating us on the league, then the words of a coach like him are appreciated. But it’s not won, we have to win more games, we have to deserve the league even more.”
Against Atletico Madrid, both Frenkie de Jong and Pedri returned to action after recovering from their respective injuries.
On that, Xavi said: “No disrespect to the others, but it’s obvious that Frenkie and Pedri are very important, with their talent they improve everything, they are crucial.”
