The arrival of Xavi to the Barcelona bench has unleashed the illusion of Barcelona. He is a consensus figure, the returned idol. The ex-footballer who personified the philosophy of Barcelona like nobody else and who now returns as a coach to regain his lost style. João Carlos Pereira (56 years old), who has managed up to ten teams in Portugal, shared time with Xavi at the Aspire Academy. It is an authorized voice to meet the coach Xavi.
-If we go to the beginning of everything, what impression did Xavi leave on your first steps at Al Sadd in Qatar?
-He arrived as a player and had responsibilities in the structure of the Aspire academy. First in the organization of the World Cup and later as a counselor in the academy. From the first moment I had the opportunity to speak with him, I saw that he was clear about everything. The way he watches football leaves little doubt. He loves the leading teams, who want to have the ball, play in the opposite field, be aggressive in transitions and take risks on defense. Of course, his vision of the game is very offensive.
-At that time he landed in a lower level football like Qatar. How was the process to evolve that team from that idea that you have?
-When you start working as a coach, everything changes. You have to think about things differently and you exercise a different responsibility. He did very well, especially with the means he had. Qatari soccer and footballers are different from those of Spain. And, above all, of those of Barcelona. Despite these setbacks, he did a great job in the field and the truth is that the team had very clear ideas, playing in a different way, with three defenders alone. There was a very own identity and Xavi’s ideas could be seen.
-How did you work in training?
-I know your message was very clear. Everything went through the ball, with a tactical purpose directed at the ideas he has. Xavi also stands out for his leadership and good communication with his players. In the end, most of them had been his teammates and that made it easier, as can happen now in some cases at Barcelona.
Xavi
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Al-Sadd
- Midfielder
- Spain
-Did Xavi represent a revolution for Al Sadd and Qatari football?
– Without a doubt, it was a before and after. Qatari teams had a different culture. Playing abroad, in international competitions, they took on a submissive role. With Xavi they always tried to have a leading role. Al Sadd dominated the local competition with a very different plan from the rest. He did not lower the defensive block, but pressed up and proposed in the offensive game. He did not play speculative football. Xavi has changed Qatari football in this regard.
-Now his goal at Barça is to return him to what he was before and regain his style. How have you seen these first three games against Espanyol, Benfica and Villarreal?
– I think that an identity change has already been seen in relation to what happened before with Koeman. The team has more capacity to press up, make very aggressive transitions to recover the ball and even attack spaces in the opponent’s last line. It is something that was not seen so much. It is true that there are few games and that Xavi will need more time to increase the level of his team. But this one already has an identity. Also, he is winning, and working on wins is easier than on losses.
-Benfica could not beat him and the Champions League pass is complicated …
-You have to be aware of the circumstances. Xavi’s Barcelona is going to play two Champions League games. Responsibility is very important. He had a good game for Benfica, but Benfica is a very strong team. And if you ask me, it is possible to beat Bayern. Why not? I think Xavi has the mentality for it. Besides, I tell you one thing.
-Tell me.
-The game against Benfica had moments of great football expression. It was very, very good. This is how different teams are built and this is how the path is made, with a very clear idea, putting the best possible resources in the field and re-creating the illusion and ambition.
-Knowing him as you know him, is Xavi capable of qualifying his idea based on what he thinks is convenient for a match?
-I think so and it has been seen. He has a great ability to understand what the team needs, what is the best strategy for each game. Although he has very clear ideas, he does not mind changing something if he considers that the meeting demands it.
-Dembélé’s entry against Benfica was remarkable. Do you think Xavi can make you progress, forget the injuries and ensure that you have the necessary continuity?
-Everything is in the head of the player. I am certain that you will try everything with him. Dembélé has to reach a very high level. Not only to be a promise, but to be a reality in football. Xavi loves these players.
-For Xavi extremes are fundamental.
-The offensive game sees it only with wingers, who are strong in one on one, who have the ability to reach finishing areas, who attack the spaces between lines or the opponent’s back.
-How is the work you do with young people?
– Xavi is a great authority. All players listen to his message. You have knowledge and experience having gone through the entire process. A young player who has the opportunity to work with Xavi may not know how lucky he is. It’s everything.
-Pedri, Gavi and Nico promise a lot. What can it contribute to their growth?
-The ability to search for information in the game. Xavi made a lot of good decisions because he got information from the game. He had that virtue in the middle, with many players in front of him, of choosing well. This can be contributed to Pedri, Gavi and Nico, who have a lot of potential, but also a long way to go.
-From the outside there is a virtue that seems indisputable in Xavi. It is his ability to convince everyone. Do you think so?
-It is obvious that this is the case, but don’t just pay attention to that. Xavi has a very deep knowledge of football. You have prepared for this challenge. People look at Xavi for what he is not, he is much more than they think. He looks at him as a former player, but he is no longer just that former player. He is a quality coach who has prepared himself very well in recent years. It is true that he is a leader, he manages to seduce and mobilize people. But he does it with knowledge, with detail, with substance. It is quality leadership, not populist.
-Do you think you should have decision-making power in the signings and in rebuilding the squad?
-It makes perfect sense that this is the case. Xavi assumes the responsibility of getting performance out of a team, but he has to have the resources to do it. In my opinion, the team needs more maturity and quality in some positions.
-In the short term it is not easy. Can an elimination in the Champions League, for example, detract from its credibility?
-I shouldn’t, it’s a medium and long-term project. That’s clear. We all know that in recent years things have not gone well at Barcelona, but there is desire and enthusiasm for them to return to the way they were before. Xavi is the right man.