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Barcelona boss Xavi surprised by 'Champions League' intensity from Arsenal in pre-season defeat
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Published 27/07/2023 at 13:08 GMT+1
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was taken aback by the 'Champions League' intensity displayed by Arsenal in their pre-season friendly in California on Wednesday evening. Arsenal were 5-3 winners as new signing Kai Havertz got on the scoresheet once more, while Barcelona were making their first pre-season appearance after their Juventus friendly match was cancelled.
'I hate to lose' - Arteta rues Arsenal's pre-season defeat to Manchester United
Video credit: SNTV
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez believes Arsenal played with a “Champions League” level of intensity during their friendly on Wednesday night.
The two teams faced off at the SoFi Stadium in California as Arsenal ran out 5-3 winners.
New signing Kai Havertz scored for the second game running, while Bukayo Saka and Fabio Vieira both found the net. Leandro Trossard also grabbed a brace.
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ferran Torres were on the scoresheet for Barcelona.
The match was Barcelona’s first in pre-season after their scheduled match with Juventus was called off.
Speaking after the match, Xavi said: "I said to Arteta that it was like a Champions League game. It was a little unusual, the intensity they put into the game.
"We took it seriously but they played at a different tempo and deserved the win. We were a little soft in defence."
Arteta defended his side’s attitude, insisting "football belongs to the players".
"It got really competitive for a friendly match," he said. "It got that way after the first tackle, the first goal. Playing in front of 70,000 people helps create an atmosphere. They are elite players and they all want to win.
"But at the end, I think it got a bit too much for a friendly, but I think the show that we put in for all the people that came to watch was really good. At the end of the day, football belongs to the players.
"We're playing in front of 70,000 people, and when it comes down to it, as soon as the game starts, they'll rebel against the coaches and do what they want as soon as there's the first foul, as soon as there's the first goal, they'll start getting intense and they'll start playing."
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