Barcelona squad greeted by loud 'Xavi Stay' chants ahead of El Clasico showdown against Real Madrid: Reports
Barcelona are preparing for Sunday's El Clasico with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and the Blaugrana fans showed their support to the club and coach Xavi. According to Sport, 200 fans of the Catalan club greeted the manager outside the hotel in Madrid with loud "Xavi Stay" chants.
Xavi has announced his decision to step down after the end of the season, but the club and fans want him to stay and are hopeful he will eventually reverse his decision.
According to Barca Universal, the two sides will meet next week to discuss the possibility of the Catalan coach staying with the club, even though Xavi remains steadfast on his decision to leave after three years in charge.
Barcelona managed to turn things around in the second part of the season, however they got eliminated in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. They also trail league leaders Real Madrid by eight points in La Liga.
With seven games to go, they will need to defeat the Merengues on Sunday to stay alive in the title race.
Xavi says Barcelona have to be 'brave' to defeat Real Madrid at El Clasico
Barcelona will look to stay on track in the title race in La Liga, but to do so, they will have to defeat Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Xavi expects a tough battle against the Merengues, and wants to see his players be "brave," if they want to have a chance of winning at Bernabeu.
"In the first half against us the last time we played, they did it well too. They have potential, they know how to attack and make transitions. Today we talked about it, that in the first minutes of each half, Madrid will push. They are at home. We have to be very brave," Xavi said, via Barca Blaugranes.
"It is the perfect setting to show personality. We have prepared the game well, I think we can have a good game and win. The first minutes will be key, calming down the game while they’re pressing high," he added.
If Barcelona eventually turn things around and claim the title, it might lead to Xavi changing his mind and staying with the club for at least another season.