Real Madrid & Chelsea Games Will Define Barcelona’s Season - Dani Alves

Barcelona’s quest for an historic treble will boil down to two crucial and colossal games this week as they face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday evening before travelling to the Santiago Bernabeu to collide with Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday.

Right-back Dani Alves made no attempts to hide the huge importance of these two games, as he is convinced that the encounter against the Blues and the Whites will go a long way toward determining the success of Barca’s campaign.

“The draw against Valencia [at the weekend] was expected and we won a very good point thanks to the efforts and consistency of the team,” he told the TV3’s aptly named programme, ‘Hat-trick’.

“But the game on Saturday at the Bernabeu against Madrid will be vital and it will set the tone for the remainder of the season.

“As for Chelsea, it is going to be very difficult but we are aware that we have to overcome one of the final hurdles to make history. We don’t want to be caught falling short of achieving something so beautiful.”

When asked if in-form midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta are good enough to make the Brazilian national team, the 25-year-old replied without missing a beat: “Xavi and Iniesta are Brazilians.

“I enjoy playing with them very much and it’s a real pleasure to watch them in action.”

Finally, Dani went on to assure that he is in peak fitness despite a long, arduous season: “I watch my diet closely while Barca are always working hard to make sure we are all well prepared physically.” 

KS Leong, Goal.com