“We take the poster of favorites against Osasuna but not the favorites of the competition”
BARCELONA, 10 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, recognized that his team needs to find itself again and, as happened last year, make a 'click' in the Spanish Super Cup to try to retain the title and, in the process, gain confidence facing the final stretch of the season, although he acknowledged that, despite accepting the favorite sign against Osasuna, passing this semifinal will be difficult due to the level of the Navarrese.
“I hope we find consistency and this trophy. First is going to the final, we respect Osasuna, we are favorites because we are Barça but it is a heads-up tournament and we must show that we deserve the final. They are a rocky rival. I hope we meet again the game and with a title that last year was wonderful for us, gave us stability and this year it would also give us that,” said Xavi at a press conference from Riyadh.
“We don't have to make mistakes that would send us home and we want to be in the final, we have desire and we are hopeful. Like last year, we need the click to find ourselves. We have to play a complete game now and hopefully it will be tomorrow,” he added, in this sense.
For the coach, it is vital “not to give anything away.” “Making a diagnosis, our mistakes at specific moments meant that we did not dominate some games. We are rediscovering the game. The other day in Barbastro we played a serious and good game but we gave away more than necessary,” he noted, regarding the fair 2-3 in the Copa del Rey against a Second RFEF.
And for Xavi, this Super Cup is a buoy, a float, to hold onto to save himself. “There is a title at stake, there are no minor titles. Last year we won two and one was this Super Cup, playing very well and it went wonderfully for the future of last year. This title is very important, without so much media power but it is a title and we want it. But first we have to beat Osasuna,” he repeated.
“We don't know Osasuna's approach but we do know that they are a difficult opponent. Personally I think they have a great coach, they prepare the games at a tactical level in an excellent way. They can press high or medium or play in a low block, but they do it well. They have a direct game, they center a lot, they have vertical football and they are a physical team that defends well and have things clear,” he praised the Navarrese team.
Despite this, he accepts that Barça is the favorite for this semi-final. “We have a lot to win. It is true that we are favorites against Osasuna, yes, we take that poster but this goes to prove it. They are a rocky rival and dominate many facets of the game. Jagoba is doing a wonderful job and it is going to be difficult to win. We take the favorites for this duel but not for this competition. But we want to reach the final and win it,” he reiterated.
“We will see what game Osasuna presents but we have a difficult opponent, whom we respect a lot. They have complicated our existence lately, the game in Pamplona was very difficult for us. There are many things and virtues that Osasuna has and especially its coach, for me a great coach,” he added, once again flattering Jagoba Arrasate.
As for his players, he believes that Pedri still has some chance of playing in this semi-final match. “We are optimistic about Pedri, he feels well and has been feeling good for days. Iñigo is ruled out, with Cancelo we will see. But the one who is closest to having minutes is Pedri,” he said.
“I have complete confidence in the players. And they know it. They have shown it in many games that they are prepared to compete. We have many positive things to have a great tournament in the Super Cup. The players see a coach who gives them confidence and It takes pressure off. I think they see me that way. We are very united, that's my feeling. The feeling of family doesn't change, whether we win or lose,” explained the man from Terrassa.