MADRID, 2 Apr. (SportsFinding) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, has assured that despite the good moment they are going through there is “a tense calm” that requires them to continue winning, something that they hope to repeat this Sunday against a “good team” like Sevilla at the Camp Nou (9:00 p.m.), and has stated that the club “cannot afford” the departure of players like Gavi or Ronald Araujo.
“Here there are no quiet days, this is Barça. There are criticisms and judgments on a daily basis, there is a tense calm, we play a lot. Tomorrow is another final, there is no longer any peace. I like it, I am very competitive. Let’s see if we are capable of competing like in the last ten days of LaLiga. I see a capable team”, he declared at a press conference.
In this sense, he assured that he feels “very supported by the sports area and the presidency.” “The project is working very well, but one day we will lose. This will bear fruit sooner or later. There will be criticism, but I know where I am, the environment is very demanding,” he said.
“The main objective is to be in the ‘Champions’ next year. We came from a very complicated situation when I took the team in November and we are achieving extraordinary results. The message is clear: don’t let your guard down, don’t relax. We have to continue. The objectives are those: to be as high as possible in Laliga and win the European competition,” he continued.
Even so, this Sunday they will have the opportunity to move up to second place if they are able to overcome Julen Lopetegui’s men. “Tomorrow is still another final for us, we have the opportunity to reach second place. We must reaffirm that we are in a good moment, the team showed at the Bernabéu that it can compete against any rival when we are solid and supportive,” he said.
“It’s a good litmus test against a Sevilla team that isn’t at the best moment of the season, they’re coming off three draws in a row, but they’re still strong; they have a coach and a club that I respect and admire, they work very well and for that’s up there. It’s a unique opportunity to continue climbing positions, we’re playing at home and I hope there’s a great atmosphere tomorrow”, he added.
The Barça coach explained that last day’s 0-4 at the Santiago Bernabéu requires them to “continue playing well, continue to be a block and supportive, with the high intensity” that was seen in that clash. “It’s true that we lowered our performance a bit and that’s why we didn’t get as many goals and chances. The players know what the model of the game is, we can’t let up. Tomorrow we’ll have a new litmus test to consolidate what we saw at the Bernabéu”, pointed.
He also acknowledged that he will be “pending” on Celta-Real Madrid this Saturday. “We will be aware of what happens today in Balaídos, but I prefer to focus on ourselves. If there is any good news, it will surely serve as extra motivation to go out and win. We depend on ourselves to get to second position. We are going to try compete with a good team. We will be attentive to what happens”, he explained.
In addition, he is optimistic about the physical condition of the footballers despite the national team break. “We have many footballers who have not stopped, they have left with their national teams. It has been good for us mentally to disconnect, but we will see tomorrow if we are with the same intensity and rhythm. I am positive. We play the objectives in a month and three weeks , it is a final sprint in which we have to grit our teeth”, he asserted.
“It is difficult to talk today about a starting team, there are many very important players. There are many players who deserve to play and then we will decide. The rotations are almost mandatory,” he warned, noting that the issue of those warned. “We think about tomorrow’s match. The load of matches is more important. The possible sanctions are not going to condition us much”, he explained.
“THE CLUB CANNOT AFFORD THE MARCHES OF GAVI AND ARAUJO”
In another order of things, Xavi described as “very important” the renewals of midfielder Gavi and Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo. “I have made clear the importance we give to Gavi and Araujo. The club cannot afford either of the two marches, they are very important, they are the club’s future and present. I think it is a matter of time, I am very positive and I want to think that the two will renew,” he said.
Less confident is in the continuity of Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé. “I see Ousmane very happy, involved in the project, I don’t have a single complaint. It’s up to him, he’s free. He’s a high-level footballer, well worked, he can be the best footballer in his position. He’s making a difference. He’s already knows the project that is here,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the club “is working for next year” in terms of signings. “But I don’t want to talk about names,” he said, without specifying whether he is looking for versatile or specific players. “It depends on the team’s needs. Busquets has an exact position and he’s excellent, he doesn’t have to be versatile; Ronald can play as a central defender or a full-back… The position-specific players are transcendent in the game. You have to see what we need and go for it,” he stressed.
“I see Busquets very strongly, with this model of play we get much more performance and he has a lot of time left. When he is not here he can play Frenkie or Nico, although I see him more inside. With Busquets, he is irreplaceable”, he added about the possible heir to that of Badía.
The culé coach explained in addition to the “sensations” they will be the ones that will mark the return of Ansu Fati. “I’ve seen him happy, in group dynamics, he already looks participatory and this is going to help him a lot. His sensations are going to mark the timing,” he explained.
Regarding a hypothetical return of central defender Gerard Piqué to the Spanish team, Xavi did not want to comment. “(Luis Enrique) He will decide. Luis is a reference coach for me, he has very clear ideas, he is a great coach for Spain. I am delighted with Gerard, he is committed and his performance is very high, but I have not decided. I decide here, but not in the selection”, manifested.
Lastly, he was full of praise for the women’s team, which this week eliminated Real Madrid in the second leg of the ‘Champions’ quarter-finals at the Camp Nou. “I enjoyed it. I have a good relationship with Alexia, with Aitana… It’s football, whether female or male. I like Jonatan -Giráldez-‘s proposal. They are an example, right now they support Barcelona. They compete well, win and I experienced at the Camp Nou gave me goosebumps, I was moved. They deserve it. In the semifinal we have to repeat the atmosphere”, he concluded.