FC Barcelona had a long spell of struggle in recent years and finally, they found solace in Xavi Hernandez. Therefore veteran defender Dani Alves feels that the top La Liga clubs were lucky that FC Barcelona’s strong run did not came earlier in the season.
The Blaugrana were in shambles before Xavi Hernandez took over as their head coach as he instilled self-belief and showed great promise in their gameplay and also promoted players from the La Masia. He also made some shrewd signings like bringing in Ferran Torres, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang among many others. Still many players are yet to join Barcelona making them even stronger for next season.
Xavi took over back in November last year and in the last 18 La Liga matches under his tutelage, Barcelona have lost only two as they have propelled to the second position behind rivals, Real Madrid. Barcelona recently defeated Real Sociedad courtesy of a solitary goal from Aubameyang. It was a sneaky win for Xavi Hernandez’s men as they look to put pressure on Los Blancos for the league title.
But it will be a herculean task for them as Real madrid are 15 points ahead and despite having a match in hand, it will be very tough for Barcelona to make ground as they only have six matches. Also if Real Madrid secures four points from their remaining five games, then they will be declared the La Liga champions.
Alves also feels that the title race is more or less over but the Brazilian fullback feels that it could have been in their favour if Barcelona’s splendid run had come earlier in the season.
“It’s lucky for everyone else that our good run didn’t happen sooner. We’ve been able to compete in a different way. Life’s like that, we arrived late. It was a tough ask but today we played against a really tough opponent,” Alves said after their win against Real Sociedad.
“We aren’t going to win the league, but it’s good fortune for the others that we weren’t here earlier,” he signed off.
Barcelona’s biggest shock this season has to be the 3-2 defeat against Frankfurt and the way they bowed out of the Europa League. The morale of the players took a major hit as Frankfurt defeated Barcelona and therefore they lost out against Cadiz.
The Catalans will next face Rayo Vallecano as they wish for a miracle to happen that looks less likely.
