"[Real] Madrid had to defend themselves. You are in front of the best team in the world [Manchester City], so they had to place themselves in the middle and defend with a lower block. It's not that you want to do, it's what the rival forces you to do," Xavi has told the media.
"The truth is, they [Real Madrid] defended very well, and this is also legal. There are spells in a game that must be dominated and Madrid did compete well in the first half. Madrid is... we are talking about one of the best teams in the world and in recent years.
"They [Real Madrid] have won many times and that makes you play with more calmness and less urgency. I don't believe in luck, I believe in defensive work. Everyone worked. Yes, City missed clear chances, but it's football. Madrid have eliminated City several times in the last years and we compete against them in Spain," the Barca boss added.
That's a great response to all those saying Real Madrid didn't deserve to advance to the Champions League semi-finals – coming from the head coach of the Whites' biggest rival. Some people clearly underestimate the team's defensive work which was almost top-notch last time out.
