Sergi Barjuan, acting on the Barcelona bench, spoke at a press conference this Friday in the Celta-Barça preview. The Les Franqueses coach already knows that it will be the last game he will direct, because the signing is official. These were the feelings of Sergi, who in his first two games drew against Alavés and beat Dinamo Kiev.
What is the idea in Vigo?
In the beginning, they are going to press hard upstairs so that we make a mistake in the ball exit and catch us wide. They are very mobile and the way of pressing will be different from what we saw in Kiev. But our priority is to have the ball, and if we have it, they will have to run.
What will you say to Xavi when you see him?
Al Sadd has made the statement, but Barça has not. I have confidence and the relationship with Xavi is good. We can talk to each other and if you ask us any questions you have, I will be happy to solve them.
Is Xavi the best option?
That is a question for the club. I am the interim coach and I try to contribute as much as possible so that the team performs tomorrow. It is not a question for the current coach.
Was it a mistake to make Dembélé play for half an hour in Kiev?
I think everyone was happy after the game. We had seen Dembélé play and he played his game. He got injured after we had rest, unfortunately. This is the risk of a player on the day. After the game, everyone was happy to win and because Dembélé had played. Soccer has these risks.
Does the fact that Xavi is the chosen one, who is from the house, reassures you?
I repeat myself. The statement is from Al Sadd, not Barça. We are going to wait for the club to make it official. I am here to give my opinion to the club and I reiterate: if Xavi comes, it is because he is the best option.
Now that you have been with this team for a few days, does it make you sad to think that it may be the last game?
It is normal. When you have such a sweet candy … But I already knew it. The club explained the situation to me and I knew it had an expiration date. But I am happy. It remains for me to convince the players to be brave like in Kiev. They are going to make us run a lot and Balaídos, historically, gives us problems. You always dislike not tasting this candy. But it’s my job and I knew what there was. And I think the small changes I have made in the team have been reflected. I am satisfied.
When you come to the coach and ask what the team is missing, what will you answer?
If they ask me for advice, what you have to do is convince the players. Bring the mentality that has led your team to win everything and solve any shortcomings. The basis of everything is that he unfolds what he learned as a player and has developed as a coach.
Do you think you leave the situation better, your legacy is positive?
I don’t have to say this. Everyone has people for and against and, depending on the results, they speak better or worse. I have tried to implement what I have been learning over the years. I have tried to tactically contribute little things that I think have worked, to be close …
He has insisted on the psychological work of the players. Do you think it has improved?
More than psychological, close. Knowing how to listen, assessing the reasons. But there is one vital thing. When you win, everything is easier. Today we made a fun game in training, we made them think. I do not know if I did before or not but I wanted to be one more, close and know how they were to try to get the best out of it in this period of time.
During his presentation he said that he wanted to regain joy. Have you succeeded then?
You have to have continuity in what you do. If we get the victory tomorrow we will be better to face new challenges. A coach must be aware of where he is. I knew I was ten or fifteen days old and I had to put my trust in them. Today I have seen many people laughing, laughing at others. But it is a question more for the players than for me.
Before he talked about how it was a sweet to train Barça. What can it mean in your coaching career this week?
I have learned many things listening to the players. They have taught me things, tactical moves. On Sunday I will return to Barça B. My situation is to take advantage of and enjoy every moment, to be aware of where I am and to be honest. When I’m here or at Barça B I try to be honest and transparent, and for them to be with me. I have tried to be close with them.
Did you feel ready to finish the season?
What I would have done is work as I have worked. And I repeat again. Here they send the results. When they make this proposal to you and you accept, it is because you are able to move forward. But I knew there was a lot of expiration date.
How far can this team go?
I think that, in the end, the players are the ones who speak on the pitch. Barça will be at the top and they will make it good. They have to follow requirements such as that everyone recovers and there is competition, that they work with tranquility. But there is equipment to be higher. And what we have to try is that the dynamics of Kiev do not break, starting tomorrow in Vigo, which we know is a historically difficult field for us.
Do you as a coach think that a club should pay a clause for a coach?
There are many times when you have to get into the shoes of the person who has to lead the negotiations, it depends on each moment. It is difficult to say just because of what we are seeing now. Every moment is different and you see that you have to do it, go ahead.
Do you think that the possibility of being interim again was at stake in these games?
I’ve never thought of that. I have thought about getting the best out of the players and myself. You never do things thinking of why later. I am in the present. I have to wonder what I can do to make things better. These days I have enjoyed and have learned. And for me that is enough. That it serves for the future, the better.
Who do you think is the responsibility of so much change on the bench?
I’ve been a gamer. Players get used to what happens quickly. If they are used to so much pressure, they have the capacity to adapt to this.
Will you be able to see a Barça tomorrow?
In the end you train one day between travel and recovery. But if we want to be applied tomorrow, we have to have the ball. They have interior mobility, verticality up … You have to have the ball and be protagonists so that they do not have it and get tired. He has good touch players. Denis, Iago, who always comes down to receive and creates superiorities.