“It makes me very angry to listen to the music of the ‘Champions’ and not be there, but that motivates us more”
BARCELONA, 16 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, assured that he does not see his favorite team winning the Europa League, the second continental competition, but as a candidate and, despite the anger and courage that not being in the Champions League gives him, He clarified that they will fight for a title that is not in the showcases of the Blaugrana club.
“We are not favourites. Napoli are fighting for the ‘Scudetto’ in the Italian League, the second leg is away from home, they are a very complicated rival. The favorite is the one who has won the competition, for example Sevilla has much more experience. No I see us as favourites, but as candidates,” he said at a press conference.
Of course, this Europa League is an “opportunity” to show that they can compete in Europe. “If we win this competition we will be in the ‘Champions’. That is enough motivation. It will not be easy, we are not talking about the Europa League being the Third Division. There is a better one, yes, but the last champions are rivals of a high level”, he clarified.
In addition, in this phase of the ‘Play-offs’ (equivalent to round of 32) they face one of the worst rivals in the entire competition, a Napoli team that is a “great rival” and that is third right now in Serie A, two points behind leader Milan.
“It’s a title that Barça hasn’t had in its history and it’s also a motivation. And Liverpool eliminated us (in 2004, last appearance) in the semifinals, Ronaldinho’s or Luis Enrique’s Barça, I was there too. end,” he recalled.
That is why he wants to conquer this second continental competition. “It’s a European competition and it’s a revalidation, I’m very motivated although it makes me very angry to listen to the music of the ‘Champions’ and not be there, but that motivates us more”, the Terrassa coach acknowledged sincerely.
In fact, he feels “rage”. “Let’s not fool ourselves, we’d like to be in the ‘Champions’ and it’s maddening not to be in it. But we have an opportunity to continue growing and competing and it’s a competition that if you win, you qualify for the ‘Champions’ later. We are motivated and more against a rival and tie that could be from ‘Champions'”, he valued. “Logically we would like to be in the ‘Champions’ and we are not because we have not done the work,” she explained.
And now they are facing a high-level Napoli, and of whom he is suspicious. “We are worried, but so will Napoli with us. They are a ‘Champions’ rival and they are welcome. They do a lot of things well. We have seen it against Juventus, against Inter. They are capable of dominating in the opposite field. Important rival” , he stressed.
“It’s going to make things difficult for us. They need the ball, but they defend very well in low blocks. Strong centre-backs, full-backs who arrive. Zielinski is a great player. Osimhen, Insigne… We could see this tie in the big competition. We haven’t had luck and analyzing them you see that they have a lot of potential”, he added about the Neapolitan team.
On the other hand, Xavi’s first 100 days on the bench were completed. “It seems like it’s been a hundred years, really. We’ve been through unexpected situations of injuries, COVID-19, the winter market… But it’s been managed, we’re trying to help the club and the players, you know I’m very ‘culer’ and I want Barça to be where it deserves. It’s a lot of work but it’s grateful”, he was honest.
“We are not in the best situation but it makes you grow as a person, solving problems. In the game we have improved in many aspects, in pressing high and dominating games. We are competing, and it is important. And in LaLiga is where you see more that we are competing”, valued, in positive.
Among his players and his state, he highlighted his response on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. “I think he needed stronger training, with group dynamics. He’s at 100% and we’ll see him play. He plays well in space, unloads. He’s had very good numbers in recent years. Tremendous professional, positive for the group, I’m very happy” , assured.