Xavi Hernández analyses PSG v Real Madrid

Former Barcelona and current Al Sadd player Xavi Hernández has turned his attention to the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and PSG, with the Spanish side leading 3-1 from the first leg, having stunned the Parisians with two late goals from Ronaldo and Marcelo. Xavi had said before the game that he felt PSG were the favourites, and in a chat with 'So Foot' has now explained that he feels the result was unfair and that he doesn't think Cristiano Ronaldo was better than Neymar in the game...

Analysis of PSG v Real Madrid

Madrid have something. At one point, PSG were flirting with making it 1-2. Madrid were on the point of folding and then they came back. Against them you can never miss your chances, if you do they'll punish you directly. The worst of it is that they hurt their opponents from nothing. A counterattack is enough for them to take the victory, fuck, 3-1... how do they do it? You almost think it's unfair that PSG lost by such a margin. The game should have finished 1-1, 2-2 or 1-2 to PSG.

Why is that?

It's inexplicable. Madrid don't play, they win. PSG should have killed the game when they had the chance. I saw the game on Spanish TV with Valdano commentating. He said something very accurate: in the game there were various phases, all very different. It's not a game you can analyse as a whole. What PSG went through, I've been through with Barça. You say to yourself, "Bloody hell, we're playing better than them"... For several minutes with Madrid's area under siege you felt Real were ready to break under the pressure from PSG. Right then is when PSG should have scored the second. They didn't and as a result they conceded two more. If you don't beat them, if you don't force them, they fuck you over. They live every game as a fight. They look you right in the eyes and challenge you. You want to attack? On you go, we will too. But if you don't score, we will. You can't give Real Madrid hope. If you have them even a smidgen, it's tough. PSG let them off and it was expensive for them. It's like they brought Real Madrid back from the dead.

Can PSG come back?

PSG can do it. It's not impossible to come back from two goals down. A lot of things can happen in 90 minutes. In my opinion, PSG have the mentality to change the course of the tie. Alves, Verratti, Di María ... fuck, Di María ... I was surprised he didn't even play a single minute!

Ronaldo better than Neymar?

I've read lots of articles saying that Cristiano was still better than Neymar. No! No! That's unfair. What did Ronaldo do? A penalty and a goal off his knee... But, what about the dangerous situations Neymar created? The mistakes he made Madrid make and the counter-attacks he started. The fear he created in Madrid?