Xavi Struggles to Pick Out Differences Between Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema

• Xavi has highlighted the difference between Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema
• The two forwards will face off in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening
• Lewandowski and Benzema currently lead the La Liga goal scorer chart with 17 and 14 goals respectively

Barcelona manager Xavi hailed Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema as two of the best strikers currently in the world ahead of their crucial Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday, April 5.

Lewandowski will be hoping to progress to the Copa del Rey final in his first season with Barcelona, but Benzema’s Real Madrid stand in their way, although needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

According to One Football, Xavi has now highlighted the differences between Lewandowski and Benzema that make them the best in their position.

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“The question is not easy [laughs]. We are talking about, perhaps, two of the three best strikers in the world. They are very similar. I think Robert understands our positional game well. Benzema appears everywhere, he is very talented.

“Robert is perhaps more physical. Benzema is a touch better in his associative play, but Robert is good there as well. The two make a lot of differences in the teams they play.”

Lewandowski is pushing to overthrow Benzema as the top scorer in Spain’s top league this season as the Poland forward currently has 17 goals to Benzema’s 14 strikes.

Xavi expects tough war in El Clasico

Meanwhile, Xavi warned his Barcelona team that their Copa del Rey semi-final opponents Real Madrid would be coming to Camp Nou to wage a footballing war, The Nation reports.

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The Catalans hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg and have beaten their rivals in each of the last three Clasicos.

Barcelona will be without four injured key players in Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen for the second leg at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid suffers Copa Del Rey defeat to Barcelona

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Real Madrid failed to muster a single shot on target as the Los Blancos suffered a painful 1-0 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg.

Despite Real Madrid dominating most of the possession, Eder Militao’s own goal was all Barcelona needed to come away from Santiago Bernabeu with victory.

Los Blancos managed 13 shots against Xavi’s men but none of those attempts including the four from Luka Modric were able to hit the target against Barcelona.