Seville coach Sanchez Flores: Xavi isn't Barcelona's problem

Seville coach Quique Sanchez Flores defended Xavi after defeat to Barcelona on Sunday.

The 2-1 Barca win marked Xavi's last in charge after he was sacked on Friday.

Sanchez Flores said: "It seems to me that he is an honest guy who says what he thinks and what he feels, he doesn't hold anything back. I have admired him a lot as a player and I have told him the truth, what I feel, that he has had a very difficult transition period and the value of what he has done, at least I value it.

"I really value the fact that he was league champion last year. Barcelona has a big problem and it's not Xavi, it's Real Madrid. I tell them, like someone who meets them on the street. We tell them calmly."

Sanchez Flores is stepping down as Sevilla coach and also said: "The journey is relatively short, it has become very long, with many emotions, sensations intertwined and when we arrived we had a very clear idea, but then we have to take into account the emotions and needs of the players.

"I have the feeling of a duty fulfilled, but it is important that people are happy with their coach and that we support each other a lot. You cannot separate an idea of a coach from an idea of a club and an idea of fans. I have found elderly people on the street who hugged me asking to move the team forward and I felt like I was carrying the feeling of a lot of souls. It's a gigantic burden."