Rival coach claims this Barcelona side are not ‘weak’ despite not having a ‘Messi or Ronaldinho’ in the team

On the surface, Barcelona seem en route to recovering their best form ahead of the final third of the season. They are unbeaten in seven games across all competitions right now, including a 1-1 draw against Napoli in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

However, Xavi’s men are coming off a laze 0-0 draw against Athletic Club in La Liga this weekend, and will face off Mallorca at home tomorrow night.

The Palma outfit are currently 15th in the table, but defeated Girona this weekend, and also took points off Barcelona earlier this season in a 2-2 draw that was only just rescued by Fermin Lopez.

Speaking about the game during his pre-game press conference Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre has claimed that Barcelona have looked motivated since Xavi has announced his resignation.

“Xavi’s goodby has provoke a good reaction at Barcelona. It’s never a good time to go to Barcelona. As much as we come from good results, it will be a complicated game,” he said, as quoted by SPORT.

“But it is true that these results have strengthened our mood and have motivated us to compete. We will go to compete and wee what we can get out of it.”

And when asked whether this Catalan side are ‘weaker’ compared to former versions of themselves, he spelt it out that he will take Barcelona very seriously even if they do not have ‘a Lionel Messi or Ronaldinho in their side’ right now.

“There have been Barça’s when you think Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto’o are not there, and they put four past you. I would not dare to say that they are vulnerable, although it is true that they have some important players injured.”

“But Cubarsi, Yamal, because they are young, it does not matter, they are going to compete. They are Barcelona and they are together with Madrid or Atletico, are difficult to beat,” Aguirre added.

The Mexican coach also explained that this game will be different to their earlier game vs Barcelona, saying, “It will be a very different match. We got ahead on two occasions and they went in tow.”

“We were beaten against Girona, and we had to display a good performance at home. Now we come from exactly the opposite. We are encouraged, but we do not have to fall into overconfidence, although vs Barcelona that is tough because you are never the favourite.”