Busquets: Sometimes the line of what is respectable is blurred because of the rivalry
As is usual when Barcelona and Real Madrid players join together for the Spanish national team, club rivalry was put on hold, for the time being at least, as Sergio Busquets lamented the lack of respect from both sides on several occasions.
Sergio Ramos has admitted that he is able to put his past differences with Gerard Pique to the side to focus on La Roja's upcoming World Cup Qualifier against Israel on Friday, which has led to a more favourable atmosphere.
"Sometimes the line of what is respectable is blurred because of the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivarly," the Catalan defensive midfielder stated. "Most of all there needs to be respect.
"It has been a lot of years now that Pique and Ramos join with La Roja and create a good atmosphere.
"Here Ramos is the captain and is higher up in the team hierarchy, while at Barcelona Pique has more of the protagonism."
Busquets also responded to Ramos' post-PSG dig at Barcelona, who had contended that it was historic, although insinuating that that was the case because of refereeing controversy.
"Let them say what they want," Busquets said of the matter. "I'm not one to get into that type of war.
"Sometimes you thik one thing, and you say another.
"Between us here [with Spain], we don't give those types of comments too much importance - it happens and that is that."
At Barcelona, Luis Enrique's 3-4-3 has altered Busquets' play slightly, and the midfielder highlighted some of the major differences.
"Every system has its good and its bad things, depending on the team," he pointed out. "Now that we are playing a 3-4-3, opposing teams are placing a man on me and I am receiving the ball less than I was accustomed to."
Busquets refused to speak of the vacant Barcelona coaching position after Luis Enrique steps down at the end of the season, but did acknowledge that he already knows Juan Carlos Unzue well and has hardly even met Ernesto Valverde.
"It is not right for me to comment on it," he concluded. "I don't know Valverde and out of respect for the club he is currently training, I won't speak of the matter."