“We didn’t play a great game, it’s obvious, but we got three gold points. And there have been players who have made a difference, like Ter Stegen The Luke de Jong”. This was the first reflection of Xavi after yesterday’s game. The coach admitted that “winning at the last breath leaves you satisfied, because it’s a matter of mentality” and he spoke of the physical and mental fatigue that the team drags at this point to understand the last two games.
Questioned about the three penalties, he commented that “the first is the Alves, the second is the hands and the Lenglet I have to see it repeated. The reality is that three penalties have been called against us, but I have to watch the match repeated before commenting on them”.
He assured that “I’m leaving very happy, because this was a game that made me very uneasy. Levante beat Villarreal, also Atlético, it wasn’t an easy game”. He admitted that “we have not been fine and it has not been an excellent game, but we have the winning dynamics and the mentality to win, we will not always play brilliantly, it is difficult to compete against a team that is risking its life”.
He explained that “at the break I told them that we had to put one more gear. And when you’re thick, make it easy, no frills. If things don’t work out for you, don’t complicate yourself. Then in the second part we were more polished”.
Regarding Levante, he stated that “we expected them to press hard and be brave, as they did against Villarreal”. and he praised Moralesof which he said that “it is a historic Levante, which makes a difference and that for the rival it is a headache and a toothache”.
He was asked if Barça is beginning to suffer from ‘Pedridependencia’, something that Xavi denied: “I wouldn’t say as much as that, he is an extraordinary player, I spare no praise for him, he is a player who excites and makes a difference. Today Gavi It has also helped… we tell the players to be prepared to add, play more or less minutes”. He admitted that the changes had worked, but wanted to highlight the previous effort of Nico Y Frenkie de Jong
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