Xavi Hernández, Barça coach, spoke in the preview of the Clásico Super Cup semifinal that this Wednesday faces Barça and Madrid. These were the impressions of the Barcelona coach.
What does Barça need to win against Madrid?
For us it is an opportunity and a challenge. We are highly motivated and it can be a turning point for us. We want to be protagonists in the game, also defend well. Madrid is the most fit team in Spain, but El Clásico is unpredictable, we must play our weapons. We will try to fight to the end to reach the final of the Super Cup.
Do you have Ferran for tomorrow?
For us it is already great news that Ferran and Pedri can play. And we get Ansu back. You have to dose minutes for players who come out of injuries or COVID. They are players who will make a difference. I am happy to be recovering players who are key to the system we want to use. We are also waiting for you to register. “
Are you fundamental Araújo?
Not only Araújo. To stop Madrid you need everything. We have to be ready on the watches. They are comfortable in low block and hurt in transitions. We will try to compete. It is an important test, an opportunity to see how far we can compete.
Are Ferran and Pedri to be the starters?
We’ll see it tomorrow. It will be the first training that Ferran and Pedri do after COVID. And Ansu will have to be seen. They will have minutes, until they see where those of injuries and COVID can go. We will play with that. We don’t want to lose more players. We want to be smart and ready to handle players who come from those circumstances.
What would it mean to win against Madrid?
Winning a Classic, to begin with, gets you into a final. And it gives you credibility, confidence. They are all final. It’s another title. It is a tremendous opportunity. It would be a turning point. Winning would be. It is important to us.
You have Ansu, Ferran, Pedri, Araújo, Frenki de Jong, without being in perfect condition … How do you see the team in general?
I keep seeing positive things. Moments of the game in which there are good things, and worse moments. It is necessary to improve in the strategy, in the surveillance. In things we are suffering and in others we are well. The project will take time but tomorrow is a good time to find out where we are.
Who would you remove from Madrid?
Better that everyone play. That will tell us where we are. We don’t want excuses. Winning or losing, we will see where we are. I prefer all the players from Madrid and Barça to be there. You have to enjoy the competition, and you have to try to reach the final.
Does your first Clásico come early?
No, it comes when it comes. Obviously we need time, but we are here to compete. There are no excuses. We are Barça and we have to fight. Tomorrow is another final and we will try to compete. Tomorrow we will see if we have worked well, if they have understood …
Is Madrid more present and Barça more future?
I am not a visionary, I look at what we do. I see positive things. We have tried to convey this game idea quickly and running. They are details that have to be controlled. Establishing this is not easy but I see positive things. We need time to grow and compete, but we are Barça and we have to try to reach the final.
How important is Memphis in this Barça?
The same as everyone. Those who earn merits will play here. This is Barça. Luckily we began to recover players and competitiveness began, meritocracy. The one that is better will play regardless of the name.
How do you see this Classic?
I have lived them in all colors. Situations in which the teams have been favorites those that have not won. Barça is under construction and Madrid are in great shape. It is unpredictable. We will try to be us, have our personality and impose our style of play. It is not easy but we will try to reach the final.
He also spoke in #Vamos
Win the Super Cup: “At the moment we are in the semifinals, we cannot talk about that. The objective for now is to reach the final, against the team that is more fit. We are on the right track, we have done a great job, although there are things to improve Tomorrow’s is a good test. “
Equality: “History says that anything can happen regardless of the difference in points. We don’t know what will happen, but we will try to impose our style and see how far we can compete.”
Ansu, Ferran and Pedri: “They have been very important casualties. They are footballers called to do great things. We recover Frenkie and Ronald, who is making a great effort. We will decide tomorrow if they are starters. We must see how those who have passed COVID are doing. There are more options to change things. Those alternatives are very good for us. “
Vinicius and Benzema: “They are making a difference, but I would highlight the block. Casemiro, Kroos and Modric are also making a difference. We are talking about the most fit team in Spain.”