Xavi: We played a perfect game, my focus now is on the final
Al-Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his happiness with the great 4-1 victory over Al-Rayyan, which sent the team to the final of the Qatar Cup, to face Al-Duhail next Friday.
“It was the best match for Al Sadd this season and it was a perfect match in both defensive and offensive aspects, we had many opportunities and we did well,” Xavi said at the press conference after the match.
He added: “Al-Sadd players know how to win. I am happy and proud of training Al-Sadd players, and today I saw them happy with this victory. If the players continue with this performance, we will not be defeated by any team.”
On what was reported about Barcelona’s negotiations with him to about becoming their coach, Xavi said: “I don’t hide my dream of coaching Barcelona one day, I would love to coach the team. I support them and my dream is to train Barcelona, but now my focus is on Al-Sadd.”
He added: “Eric Abidal is my friend. Out of respect for Barcelona and Al Sadd, my focus is on the next match against Al-Duhail. They came here to see the injured Ousmane Dembele. My focus here is with Al-Sadd and the upcoming phase. We have an important game coming up in the final against Al-Duhail team, and we must focus on it in a big way.”
On the nature of the meeting with Abidal and the negotiations with him, he said: “I cannot speak on this issue and the conversation was on many issues with Abidal, and as I mentioned, I am currently focusing on Al Sadd and in the final match of the Qatar Cup on Friday against Al-Duhail.”
Xavi came back to talk about the Al Rayyan’s match and said: “Beating Al Rayyan is very important because it took the team to the final and this was achieved with the mentality of the players. The team played throughout the 90 minutes with great concentration. Everyone is happy with the victory and the recent games confirmed that Al-Sadd has a great offensive capability.”
On his expectations before this match and the big victory that the team achieved, Xavi said: “There is no easy match, but the Al Sadd players were wonderful and I am very happy. I did not expect an easy match against Al Rayyan, who are a great team and did not lose this season. Al Rayyan had already defeated us, (in the league) but Al-Sadd was ready and prepared for this match. This is the Al-Sadd.”
Xavi said: “This match was Classico, it was a revenge game, and we succeeded in winning, and the players were motivated to play this game. Al Rayyan will be eager to play against us in the next match, as is the nature of the matches between the two teams in the Classico.”