Xavi extra-motivated against Mr Finals, Ancelotti

It’s a final and it’s a Clasico. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid needed penalties to get to the final. It’s Xavi’s first as a coach and he will have the chance to lift his first trophy since arriving a little over a year ago.

The opposite of Carlo Ancelotti, who has been winning trophies for over two decades as a coach. He has played in 23 finals, winning 18 of them.

Carletto has not lost a final since 2014 where Madrid lost to Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup. If we look at single games, his last defeat in a final was in 2010, in the Community Shield as Chelsea coach against Man United.

Asked about that, Xavi said ironically: “You’re giving me a lot of hope, eh!

“Statistics are for changing, I have to remember that I too have had a lot of luck in finals. So, let’s go forward. I’m thinking positively and taking it as an opportunity. I am content and satisfied reaching a final, that was hard for us.”