Javi Martinez has reflected on how his friendship with Xavi Hernandez has been pushed to one side during Barcelona and Bayern Munich’s semi-final clashes.
Martinez’ Bayern head into Wednesday evening’s Champions League second leg clash with a 4-0 lead to protect against Xavi’s Barca.
Speaking to Bild in anticipation of the clash, the Spaniard reflected on an on-pitch clash in the first leg with his off-pitch friend Xavi.
“Yes it is true, Xavi insulted me during the game. At games like this it is very tense and there are no friendships,” reflected Martinez in the interview published today.
“At these times I treat Xavi like any other player, while we are playing we are not friends.
“But then afterwards everything went back to normal, we spoke and shook hands.
“Xavi said I have a great team and that we are in very good form at the moment.
“He said ‘you are really, really good and it’s very, very difficult to beat you’.”
Even so, Martinez is not taking the Germans’ advantage for granted.
“Barcelona never give up. If a team can overcome a 4-0 scoreline then it is Barcelona.
“They should be treated carefully. Against Milan they won 4-0 at home, against Milan!”
The Spain international reflected on Coach Jupp Heynckes’ influence on proceedings last week.
“We attacked them from the start, we prevented Barca from enjoying their play.
“Heynckes is certainly the foremost expert on Spanish football in Germany. He watches thousands of games, it’s amazing.
“Often he will ask me, ‘Javi, what do you make of yesterday?’ and I ask, ‘Yesterday?’.
“And he says, ‘Man, Malaga and Valladolid both lost’. And I say, ‘Ah yes, yes it’s true’, but I really have no idea.
“Jupp Heynckes knows the Spanish League better than I do.”
