‘Xavi was a manager on the pitch too'

It Was Destiny, Says Mendieta, As Barcelona Great’s Clear Ideas Help Make Team Better

- Moushumi Bora

It’s Clasico weekend and former players Guti and Gaizka Mendieta have a go verbally from opposite sides. No tackles, only smiles and achieving the goal of enlightening those at hand. For Real man Guti, the Liga title is brewing at the Bernabeu but a Clasico is “never decaffeinated.” “Expect very equal teams on Sunday because Barcelona will be highly motivated with nothing to lose,” he said.

Mendieta, who had played with a young Xavi during his loan period with Barcelona in the 2002-03 season, believes it is unlikely Real will lose but the best Barca can do is to “go to Madrid and have faith in themselves.”

“Xavi has indeed changed the mentality and attitude of the team. With him, you can aspire to win titles but this year it’s not seen as an obligation, the only obligation for Barca is to compete the way they are already doing right now,” the much-traveled 47-year-old said in a LaLiga online interaction that TOI was part of.