Xavi Hernandez has recognized in the press conference prior to the semifinal match of the Spain Supercup against Real Madrid, the Riyadh Clásico, who faces the game “with great desire and enthusiasm to contest the title and win it, which would give a lot of confidence to face the remainder of the season. We expect a very even game, each with their own arms and both with high quality players. We started a new stage with a new coach, young players and recovering players. Everyone wants to play a Classic “.
A Xavi he is not interested in the favorite labels, which this time is taken by Real Madrid. He explained that he has experienced Classics of “all colors. Being a favorite and has not been won and vice versa. I see a Barça under construction, we are trying to do things well and a Madrid in good shape but it does not mean anything, it is an unpredictable Classic, we will try to be ourselves, impose our model and it will not be easy because we have what I think is the most fit team in Spain “.
He is convinced that any result can be achieved in the match. “I am not a visionary but I am positive. I think about the work we have done, it has been two months and I see positive things. We have improved a lot. The footballer is taking the game model, we have to control the games and kill the games when we can. Details to control, knowing how to compete. Establishing all this is not easy but I am seeing positive things and we need to grow. But we have to compete. We are Barça and we have to reach the final. “
Xavi He does not believe that the Classic is coming soon, nor does he take the circumstances as excuses. “It arrives when it arrives, the calendar is what it is. We have had casualties, the Covid has affected us, but it is no excuse, we are Barça and we will try to compete and tomorrow will be an example to know where the team is. It is an exam.”
And he added: “For us it is very important. First it gets you into the final and then the confidence it gives to the project is tremendous. Tomorrow we have to focus on what a competition is and in two games you can win a title. It would be an important turning point It is a very important game for us. “
The Barça is recovering players. Those who were injured and those who had Covid arrive. “I continue to see positive things in the group, at moments of the game with very good things, others that need to be improved. We have to improve a lot in strategy plays, in lateral fouls, in centers to the area. In others we are well. We have to improve. “We are building a project and it takes time, but tomorrow is a good test. Pedri, Ansu, Frenkie, Ronald … tomorrow they will be important and they will be in the future. Glad to get them back.”
The eleven holder of Real Madrid will not condition that of Barça. “I do not have to remove anyone. Better that everyone play and that way he will tell us where we are. Wherever he goes he will tell us how we are and it can be a turning point. It is a Classic, people are motivated and to enjoy the competition and try to reach the final, which is the goal. “
The Barça recovers Ansu, has been signed to Ferran Torres, it has young wingers, another reinforcement is being considered … What role will Memphis play? “The same as everyone. In the end, those who earn merit, there is a lot of competition. Luckily we can make a list with many of the first team and competitiveness begins for everyone. It is about meritocracy and whoever wins it will play. I have lived. Whoever is better will play regardless of their name, so we will go well. “
Young people are called to make a difference. “They are footballers who are called to make a difference. We come to the area or bottom line many times and it is difficult for us to generate. These footballers help you generate more. We are going to see how they are after overcoming injuries or Covid, but the team improves without no doubt”.
He did not want to advance if Ansu and Ferran they will play. “We will see tomorrow, they will be important. They will surely have minutes, we will see how far it can go. We are going to play with that, it is not just tomorrow, there are five months of competition left and we do not want to lose more players. We have to be smart and dose them.”
If before in Vamos he talked about what Araujo he would make an effort, at the press conference he explained that “not only he, it is a collective work. They are comfortable in the low block and activate counterattacks. We have to be ready in the surveillance. Players like Vinicius, Benzema or Asensio are decisive in the one on one. We will try to control them. It is a good opportunity to see where the team is. It is a very important test for us. “
Another proper name was Ferran Torres. “For us it is great news that both he and Pedri are negative and can play. We are awaiting the registration of Ferran but it seems that it will be done soon. Ansu is also there. These players have to be dosed, maybe they can’t play everything but At certain times they can help us a lot, they will make a difference not only tomorrow. It is good news to be recovering troops with key players for the scheme we want to use. “
Everything to achieve a good result. “Madrid is in very good condition, perhaps the best in Spain now as the classification says. A Clásico is unpredictable, from my experience, we have to play our weapons and compete, we know we have ways of hurting them and we will fight until the end “.
“A little different but it is the new format of the Super Cup and we have to stay with the positive. It is one more title and people will see it all over the world, hopefully everything can go well and celebrate it in the best way.”
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