Article

Xavi: Real Madrid are always dangerous

28 January 2013 09:28

Xavi believes Barcelona cannot afford to underestimate Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday.

Real will have to make do without the likes of Iker Casillas and Pepe due to injury, but the Spain midfielder has stressed that Real are always difficult opponents no matter who takes the field.

"These games are always unpredictable. We are really in good shape to compete right now but anything can happen in football, and particularly against Real Madrid," Xavi told The Times of India.

"They will be missing a few important players, but they are Real Madrid after all and they will compete well, I'm sure. Despite their current situation, they are a dangerous opponent."

The Spain international is also wary of Barca's Champions League round-of-16 opponents AC Milan.

"Milan are a tough side. They've always made life very hard for us defensively. San Siro is not an easy place because the fans are very passionate," he said.

The first leg of that clash is scheduled takes place on February 20.

Info

Real Madrid

W D L D W

1 - 1

Barcelona

W W W W W

Competition: Copa del Rey
Date: 30 January 2013
Kick-off: 21:00

Half-time: 0 - 0
Full-time: 1 - 1

On aggregate: 4 - 2

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Attendance: 80000

Goals

	0 - 1	50' Fàbregas (assist by L. Messi)
R. Varane 81' (assist by M. Özil)	1 - 1

Lineups

Player	Bookings
Diego López
Ricardo Carvalho	16'
Arbeloa
R. Varane	81'
Xabi Alonso	90'
M. Essien
M. Özil
S. Khedira
José Callejón	42'
Cristiano Ronaldo
K. Benzema
Coach: José Mourinho

Player	Bookings
Pinto
Puyol	81'
Dani Alves	72'
Piqué	1'
Jordi Alba
Fàbregas	50'
Iniesta
Xavi
Busquets
L. Messi
Pedro
Coach: Tito Vilanova

Substitutes

Player	Bookings
L. Modrić for José Callejón 58'
G. Higuaín for K. Benzema 63'
Adán
Albiol
Álvaro Morata
Kaká
Marcelo

Player	Bookings
A. Sánchez for Pedro 76'
Thiago Alcântara for Fàbregas 85'
A. Song
Adriano Correia
David Villa
J. Mascherano
Víctor Valdés

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12:29	Baldini appointed as Tottenham technical director
11:52	FA Cup final given end-of-season billing
10:47	Coyle´s Wigan tenure begins at Barnsley
10:16	Celtic to start with Ross County test
10:03	Pique advises Thiago to stay at Barcelona
10:00	Llambias resigns but Pardew vows to stay on
09:54	Lampard targets third World Cup
09:48	Zorc: De Bruyne is interested in Dortmund move
06:32	FIFA World Cup Qualifying Wrap: United States stay in charge
05:09	Neill, Schwarzer in the shop window
04:31	Osieck vindicated by super-sub Kennedy
04:06	Puyol set for further surgery
03:46	Ribery, Benzema trial adjourned
03:11	Bielsa, Santos talks fall through
02:55	Vilanova rues easy title run-in
02:36	Del Bosque defends Casillas´ inclusion
00:19	Lens leaves PSV for Dynamo Kiev

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22:55	FIFA World Cup Qualifying Wrap: Australia, Iran, South Korea qualify
20:58	Carroll passes West Ham medical
13:08	Maher agent denies Ajax deal
13:05	Newcastle confirm Kinnear appointment
12:49	Taylor ´really happy´ with Kinnear return
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12:25	Clarke happy with Reid commitment
12:03	Bittencourt signs for Hannover
11:22	Van Dijk keen on Celtic move
11:15	De Gea sets the bar high
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10:27	Kinnear: We need another striker
07:48	Brazil-Mexico Preview: Selecao gunning for semi-final berth
03:41	Valcke: Brazil better for football tournaments
01:38	Tahiti trump Nigeria in celebration stakes

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23:12	FIFA Confederations Cup: Nigeria 6 Tahiti 1
21:13	Borini´s Napoli move unlikely
21:09	Remon: Zidane not ready for Real job
20:39	Elyounoussi says yes to Hoffenheim
20:37	Mignolet agent anticipating bids
20:35	Schalke signs Clemens
20:00	Italy-Japan Preview: Azzurri aiming to move closer to last four with victory
19:36	Sidwell looking for settled squad at Fulham
19:20	Hearts set to enter administration
19:16	Martinez hoping to bring ´characters´ to Everton
18:53	Scholes sad to see Robinson leave Stoke
18:36	Bayern, Barca in hunt for Koscielny
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17:59	Vitoria pleased with ´dream´ Benfica move
17:43	Poyet refuses to attend hearing
17:33	UEFA Under 21 Championship Final Preview: Italy v Spain
17:23	Van Dijk attracting foreign interest
17:17	FIFA Confederations Cup Preview: Brazil v Mexico
16:54	Brentford confirm signing of Bidwell from Everton
16:20	Lambert says Lowton can still improve
16:14	Owen not ready to become a manager
16:11	Rangel praises Michu impact
15:52	Gundogan pledges future to Dortmund
15:45	Tevez refuses to be drawn on speculation
15:32	Mourinho: Chelsea need stability
14:33	Reid remains at West Brom after agreeing new deal
13:22	Tahiti 1-6 Nigeria: Oduamadi hits hat-trick as Super Eagles smash South Pacific islanders
13:11	Dortmund confirm Lewandowski stay
12:57	Hull sign Figueroa
12:55	Colombia Primera Division Wrap: Santa Fe held as Pasto, Millonarios win
11:59	Liverpool appoint new chief financial officer
11:47	Isco reveals offers from Real and City
11:09	Bradford to start Capital One Cup campaign at Huddersfield
10:09	Kinnear: Cabaye will stay at Newcastle
07:20	Peru Primera Division Wrap: Cesar Vallejo up to fourth
07:19	Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Nacional Asuncion beaten after securing title
06:47	Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Blanco brace fires Lanus
03:53	Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Independiente held despite Guerrero stunner
03:07	Del Bosque satisfied with Spain´s Cup opener
01:53	FIFA Confederations Cup: Spain 2 Uruguay 1
01:39	Prandelli undeterred by plucky Mexico
00:17	FIFA World Cup Qualifying Wrap: Ethopia, Egypt top groups

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