Xavi also insisted Man City deserved their place in Champions League final after annihilating their local rivals, Real Madrid
By Kehinde Okeowo
Barcelona boss, Xavier Hernández Creus, better known as Xavi, has insisted Premier League champions, Manchester City earned their place in UEFA Champions League final after annihilating La Liga rivals, Real Madrid in the competition.
Speaking via Barca Universal, the Spanish tactician also described Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing side as the best team in the world right now.
Man City eliminated Los Blancos from the Champions League after winning one of the semi-finals on a 5-1 aggregate scoreline in mid-week.
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Prior to the second leg of the tie at the Etihad, the Citizens needed a win to secure their second UCL final in three seasons, and they did so with class after forcing Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg.
In the return leg, a first-half double by Bernardo Silva in the 28th and 37th minutes and second-half goals from Manuel Akanji and World Cup winner, Julián Álvarez, handed them the ticket to the final in Turkey.
Xavi, speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Real Sociedad on Saturday night, named Man City as the best football team in the world.
He said: “For the Cules, it must have been a joy, but as professionals, we give a lot of importance to La Liga.
“The value is not that Madrid loses, the value is to see the joy of the fans. Man City were deserved winners in the semi-finals. For me, they are the best team in the world.”