BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez believes a new era is starting at the club after Sergio Busquets said this week he will leave in the summer at the end of his contract.
The defensive midfielder was a key part of the club’s glorious era of success, winning three Champions Leagues, and he can clinch his ninth La Liga title if Barcelona beat Espanyol on Sunday.
Busquets played as pivot behind Andres Iniesta and Xavi in an iconic midfield trio, and the three of them also won the World Cup with Spain in 2010.
However, the coach said he hoped the likes of Pedri and Gavi could beat anything he, Iniesta and Busquets achieved at Barcelona.
“We are working on forming a new (era),” Xavi told a news conference Saturday.
“I hope players like Gavi, and Pedri, can even go beyond us, that is life, that is sport.
“I hope they can surpass us, I hope. There’s a very good batch, home-grown players and midfielders especially.
“I hope they follow in Busquets’ footsteps and can achieve as much success as he has, a new era is beginning.”
Busquets, 34, has played over 700 times for Barcelona and lifted 31 trophies. However his highest ever finish in the voting to win the Ballon d’Or was 20th, in 2012.
“He’s the best defensive midfielder I’ve ever seen,” continued Xavi.
“Not being nominated for the Ballon d’Or, for me it was an injustice.”
Busquets has said previously he prefers to concentrate on silverware rather than individual accolades and Sunday offers Barcelona the chance to win La Liga for the first time since 2019.
“We’re at 200 percent,” said Xavi ahead of the clash with Catalan derby rivals Espanyol in Cornella.
“I’m seeing them train at full pelt with hope, desire and intensity, to win La Liga.”
A new Barca era is starting after Busquets — Xavi
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A new Barca era is starting after Busquets — Xavi
- The defensive midfielder was a key part of the club's glorious era of success, winning three Champions Leagues
- "I hope they follow in Busquets' footsteps and can achieve as much success as he has, a new era is beginning," Xavi told a news conference Saturday
Newcastle complete cruise into Champions League last 16
- The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Newcastle United completed their stroll into the Champions League last 16 with a 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday to progress 9-3 on aggregate over the Azeri champions.
The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
A tie that involved an over 5,000-mile (8,000 kilometer) round trip for both sides was killed off inside 45 minutes last week as Newcastle led 5-0 at half-time on their way to a 6-1 rout.
That allowed Eddie Howe to heavily rotate his side, with four-goal hero from the first leg Anthony Gordon among those left on the bench.
Newcastle still made another fast start to add to their lead twice inside six minutes.
Sandro Tonali fired in the rebound after Dan Burn’s shot was saved before Joelinton stroked in Harvey Barnes’ cross.
Qarabag had taken the scalps of Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt in the league phase to make the play-off round and at least salvaged some pride with two goals in the second half.
Camilo Duran outpaced Burn to pull a goal back before the Newcastle defender was penalized for handball inside the box.The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s penalty but Elvin Jafarguliyev netted the rebound.
In between the visitors’ two goals, Sven Botman powered in a header from a corner.
That took the tally of goals conceded by Qarabag in the Champions League to 30 — a single season record in the competition.
