Xavi Hernandez doesn’t think his Barcelona team are the favourites to win this season’s Laliga despite sitting eight points clear at the top of the table.
Through Jordi Alba, Gavi and Raphinha, the Catalans were able to make sure of an eight point gap between themselves and second placed Real Madrid with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sevilla yesterday, but Xavi doesn’t consider his team favourites.
Speaking to reporters after the game, he said; “I see ourselves as candidates to win the league, but the favourite is always the defending champion. It’s Madrid, and we can’t lower our intensity at any moment. They can beat anyone.
“This team has the capacity to win every title we’re competing for. But we can’t only say it, we have to show it. Words mean nothing. There have been crazy comebacks in La Liga before. We have to avoid that at all costs.
“I still don’t think we’re the favourites for La Liga. We’re only in February, and we have any tough matches upcoming. The euphoria is nice, but we have to be cautious.”
Barcelona play Villarreal next in the league and could have that lead extended to 11 points with victory as Madrid who are away in Morocco for the FIFA Club World Cup only return to action in midweek.
Before their departure, Madrid lost 1-0 to Mallorca.
