Barcelona manager Xavi has now made a bizarre admission about Real Madrid ahead of the latest edition of ElClasico on Thursday night.
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This evening's encounter against Los Blancos will be the first of three ElClasico fixtures set to take place in the space of a month, with their 19 March LaLiga tie sandwiched between their Copa del Rey semi-final matches as both sides battle for Spanish supremacy.
Going into their first leg of their cup tussle at the Santiago Bernabeu this week, the Blaugrana will be without star attackers Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele due to injury, but Xavi has insisted that even at full strength, Real are more likely to make it to the final of the Copa.
"Madrid are favourites because they are LaLiga and Champions League holders," the Spanish tactician said in a press conference, as per ESPN.
"They are a tough opponent and they are in good form.
"We have won a trophy, beating them in the final, playing extraordinary football, but it's Madrid. They are competing really well, they scored five goals against Liverpool.
"I have to be honest. I don't mind saying it.
"That said, we have the weapons to do damage, we have shown that, and it will be an even tie, but they are favourites."
The Catalan giants will be looking to reinvigorate their season with a victory over their bitter rivals, having lost to Manchester United and Almeria in the UEFA Europa League and LaLiga, respectively, last week.
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"It doesn't surprise me," Xavi said in response to the negativity surrounding the team following their past two games.
"I know the club and the environment around it and I know where the shots get fired.
"If we only look at the last two games, we are in hospital, but if we look at how we are doing overall – seven clear in LaLiga, in the semi-final of the cup, Super Cup winners, we competed in Europe despite going out – the picture is still good."
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