Real Madrid defender, Pepe, was handed a 10-game ban yesterday following his assault on Getafe players Javier Casquero and Juan Albin in midweek. The suspension will rule him out for the rest of the season, the start of the next – assuming he remains in the Primera Division – and more crucially, the El Clasico showdown with Barcelona.
Blaugrana midfielder, Xavi, for one, will be relieved not to have the Portuguese international get in his way in the May 3 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu as he spoke about his rival’s controversial actions last Tuesday.
“It’s a shame what happened. I do not know what went through his head, but clearly, what he did was totally out of line,” he said in an interview with RNE [Radio Nacional de Espana]
“In sports and in football in particular, players have to lead by example, especially in such great teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona,” he added.
The 29-year-old then went on to discuss Madrid’s season as the Merengues continue to pursue the Catalans in the title race.
“Throughout their history, they have always been very competitive, but now, their football isn’t very flamboyant,” he analysed. “Still, they are earning themselves a lot of merit for what they have been doing.”
Finally, Xavi dispelled the constant rumours trying to unsettle him and his team-mate, Andres Iniesta.
“I enjoy playing alongside Iniesta very much, just like I did playing next to Pep [Guardiola],” he affirmed.
“I identify with both of them because they are a reference in football. It’s a shame that for so many years, people have tried to compare us and make us go face to face.”
KS Leong, Goal.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment