Xavi: 'We have to show our ambition'

FC Barcelona are looking ahead to Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid and prior to the clash coach Xavi Hernández appeared before the press at the King Fahd Stadium, venue for Sunday's latest instalment of 'El Clásico'. 

Mutual respect

Before speaking to the press, the Barça boss posed for the traditional photograph with his opposite number, Carlo Ancelotti, on the pitch at the stadium in Riyadh. "I have a good relationship with Ancelotti, we have met many times. He's a real footballing gentlemen. We don't need to go over the line - it's a sporting battle, nothing else. We have to show admiration and respect towards our opponents," said Xavi in the press room at the King Fahd stadium. 

"I can see a strong Real Madrid side and they have a psychological advantage as they have more experience in finals. We have to show our ambition and our desire, at last, to win a trophy," added the Barça coach. 

Xavi continued, touching on the team's motivation ahead of Sunday's final: "We have to win this final. When I was a player I felt the same pressure as now because we are Barça and that never changes. We will try to be at our best. Now we are in the final our goal is to win the trophy and bring it back to Barcelona." 

Full strength

The coach admitted he has all his weapons at his disposal for the showdown against Carlo Ancelotti's team: "We have all our players available. We have to show we have personality and our style of play. We have to be careful of their counter attacks where they are strong. The aim will be to attack and defend as best we can."