Xavi has assured Jose Mourinho that Barcelona will be keeping the 'war' with Real Madrid on the pitch.
Barca man not drawn by Mourinho taunts
Playmaker Xavi has assured Jose Mourinho that Barcelona will be keeping the 'war' between themselves and Real Madrid on the pitch.
Outspoken Real manager Mourinho
sought to defend out of form striker Karim Benzema last week by turning the focus onto Barca man David Villa's goal drought.
The coach said: "Other teams have great players in the same situation (as Benzema) and nobody is talking about them."
Villa, who had not scored in the Primera Liga since September 22nd, responded emphatically to the jibe by ending his barren goal run with a brace during Saturday's 5-0 rout of Sevilla.
And Xavi insists he and his Barca team-mates will continue to respond to Mourinho's baiting on the field rather than through words.
Football war
"We won't get into a war of words," said Xavi. "We want a football war on the pitch."
Superstar Lionel Messi agrees Barca will not be lured into playing mind games by the Portuguese boss.
The Argentina ace, who also scored twice against Sevilla, insists the Spanish champions are not affected by comments from people outside the club.
"You shouldn't attach any importance to what Mourinho says," said Messi. "He tries to draw us into his game but we have to focus on our work."
