In the post-match press conference, the FC Barcelona coach reacted to the defeat suffered by his team against Arsenal in a friendly match on Thursday night. The Spanish technician notably criticized the intensity displayed by the Gunners.
FC Barcelona played their first preseason friendly match on Thursday night against Arsenal in the United States. Still lacking rhythm, the Blaugrana were defeated 5-3. Robert Lewandowski (7th), Raphinha (34th), and Ferran Torres (88th) scored the three Catalan goals in a match animated by tough duels and physical impact. In the post-match press conference, FC Barcelona coach Xavi criticized the intensity shown by Arsenal in this friendly match.
“It was a very good match for the spectacle, a little less for the coaches,” lamented Xavi, as reported by RMC Sport, before adding, “We played our first match and they were playing in the Champions League final. The intensity they put in was not normal for a friendly match, but I understand that everyone wants to win. For us, it was the first preparation match, and we were coming back from a virus (…) It’s not normal to have so much intensity and tactical fouls. We all want to be competitive, but it’s a friendly match.”
The Spanish coach nevertheless praised the work of his compatriot Mikel Arteta at the helm of Arsenal. “We have followed similar paths. We both came up through Barcelona when we were young. I wish him the best, and I have tremendous respect for him,” he added. For their next match, FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid on Saturday near Dallas, in a clasico that will be friendly only on paper.
