Expect Barcelona followers to answer the question above with a capital “YES” even if Real Madrid and their fans insist that they are not jealous of the Catalans…
“Jealous? We do not envy any other team! I play for the best club in the world. Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world and it's impossible for us to be jealous of other clubs.”
This is what Portuguese defender Pepe recently told AS as the ping-pong conversation between the two camps continues.
When Barcelona came back from the FIFA Club World Cup victorious, they got acclaimed as the best team in the world and possibly in history. Pep Guardiola’s team exhibited football at its best with emphatic wins over Al Sadd and South American champions Santos in the semis and in the final respectively.
However, one outspoken man—namely Jose Mourinho—overlooked the Catalans’ triumph by describing the mini-tournament as “nothing more than a few small games”. Mourinho’s claims, evidently, didn’t go without reply.
Brazilian defender Dani Alves boldly responded to the Portuguese manager’s comments via Barcelona’s official website. In typical fashion, Alves went on to shame Mourinho by describing him as such:
“Mourinho is a person who plays his role. He devalues what other people win. The only thing that has value is what he wins. That’s his personality, and we respect it.
“Mine is different, however. To play these ‘small games,’ as he says, you have to win the Champions League. We have done that and that’s why we are happy. Envy is a bad thing.”
The former Sevilla man reportedly added:
“We live in the moment, and we are the reigning world champions. The numbers are what they are, regardless of whom that bothers.”
But numbers also reveal that Barcelona are behind Real Madrid in La Liga as the winter break is on. The Catalans have 37 points while Jose Mourinho’s men have 40 from a possible 48.
Other statistics remind that Barca have managed 11 victories and 4 draws. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have drawn only once besides clinching as many as 13 wins in 16 matches.
However, Barcelona’s strength in La Liga must not be overlooked. The domestic champions can boast of having a much better defense than Real Madrid’s with 8 goals allowed compared to Los Blancos’ 15.
What’s more, they also defended their status as kings on December 10 with a terrific 3-1 victory over the well-prepared Merengues.
In fact, why should the Catalans worry about their current position in the Spanish Primera Division? The season is long and there are more games left. Above all, Barcelona can find belief in their potential as a team.
“We aren’t bothered by Madrid because we don’t feel like we are inferior to them, and if you don’t feel inferior to those that criticize you, it doesn’t bother you,” Dani Alves told his club’s official website.
“However, I am bothered by their continuous effort to discredit our accomplishments. There’s always a ‘but,’ or a ‘why.’
“That’s the only thing I do not understand. But I understand that it’s an un-winnable war, we only try to compete well and make it difficult for others.”
Madridistas might hate to admit it, but the Catalans are currently the team to beat. Even a fit Real Madrid squad couldn’t daunt Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on December 10.
Tactics, players or mentality; what is really wrong with Real Madrid? What prevents Los Blancos from punishing old foes Barca?
This is what Portuguese defender Pepe recently told AS as the ping-pong conversation between the two camps continues.
When Barcelona came back from the FIFA Club World Cup victorious, they got acclaimed as the best team in the world and possibly in history. Pep Guardiola’s team exhibited football at its best with emphatic wins over Al Sadd and South American champions Santos in the semis and in the final respectively.
However, one outspoken man—namely Jose Mourinho—overlooked the Catalans’ triumph by describing the mini-tournament as “nothing more than a few small games”. Mourinho’s claims, evidently, didn’t go without reply.
Brazilian defender Dani Alves boldly responded to the Portuguese manager’s comments via Barcelona’s official website. In typical fashion, Alves went on to shame Mourinho by describing him as such:
“Mourinho is a person who plays his role. He devalues what other people win. The only thing that has value is what he wins. That’s his personality, and we respect it.
“Mine is different, however. To play these ‘small games,’ as he says, you have to win the Champions League. We have done that and that’s why we are happy. Envy is a bad thing.”
The former Sevilla man reportedly added:
“We live in the moment, and we are the reigning world champions. The numbers are what they are, regardless of whom that bothers.”
But numbers also reveal that Barcelona are behind Real Madrid in La Liga as the winter break is on. The Catalans have 37 points while Jose Mourinho’s men have 40 from a possible 48.
Other statistics remind that Barca have managed 11 victories and 4 draws. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have drawn only once besides clinching as many as 13 wins in 16 matches.
However, Barcelona’s strength in La Liga must not be overlooked. The domestic champions can boast of having a much better defense than Real Madrid’s with 8 goals allowed compared to Los Blancos’ 15.
What’s more, they also defended their status as kings on December 10 with a terrific 3-1 victory over the well-prepared Merengues.
In fact, why should the Catalans worry about their current position in the Spanish Primera Division? The season is long and there are more games left. Above all, Barcelona can find belief in their potential as a team.
“We aren’t bothered by Madrid because we don’t feel like we are inferior to them, and if you don’t feel inferior to those that criticize you, it doesn’t bother you,” Dani Alves told his club’s official website.
“However, I am bothered by their continuous effort to discredit our accomplishments. There’s always a ‘but,’ or a ‘why.’
“That’s the only thing I do not understand. But I understand that it’s an un-winnable war, we only try to compete well and make it difficult for others.”
Madridistas might hate to admit it, but the Catalans are currently the team to beat. Even a fit Real Madrid squad couldn’t daunt Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on December 10.
Tactics, players or mentality; what is really wrong with Real Madrid? What prevents Los Blancos from punishing old foes Barca?
