Football
Xavi says Mourinho can play the Barcelona way
Xavi Hernandez says Jose Mourinho’s defensive football surprises him because at Barcelona he was very different.
The midfielder says he was far more than just a translator when the Portuguese was at the club.
He told ESPN: “He was excellent in his three years at Barca. They said he was a translator. Rubbish.
“He was the assistant coach, someone who understood the philosophy of Barca and who shared many of the same characteristics of Van Gaal.
“He was very respected by the players. He trained us sometimes alone at Barca B and he was excellent.
“I’m surprised that he became known for another type of football, more defensive, because he wasn’t like that with us.”