MADRID, 2 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The FC Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernández, has assured that “nothing has changed” regarding his future “as of today” and has asked to focus efforts on “the decisive stretch of the season”, starting with this game Sunday against an Athletic Club that he describes as “the most intense and physical rival in the category.”
“To this day nothing has changed. There is no issue. Step by step for Athletic tomorrow, nothing more. To this day there is no change,” he declared at a press conference, without adding anything else when asked about If he would agree to stay one more year in the event that the club did not find his perfect replacement.
Furthermore, he explained that they arrive “with good feelings” at the “moment of truth”, in which they will have to “compete against direct rivals.” “It is the decisive stretch of the season, and I think we arrived at a good time. Then we have to prove it, but the feelings are positive,” he said. “I notice the team is more responsible, more competitive, more intense, with more dynamism, both with the ball and without the ball. We are in a good moment, but we have to show it game by game,” he added.
In this sense, he recalled that “every game” at Can Barça “is an exam.” “Tomorrow is an important test for the team,” he insisted. “It is an ideal scenario to play a great game, to match them in intensity, rhythm and faith. Athletic is a team with a lot of soul and we have to match it. On Getafe day we reconnected with the game, we understood that we had to attack spaces “Tomorrow there will surely be space behind the defense. It will be a match similar to Getafe’s day at home. It is time to find continuity in the game, which is what we are missing this season,” he explained.
“We recently played against them and they eliminated us from the Cup. I think they are the most intense and physical rival in the category and now the rival with the most confidence, after comfortably passing to the Cup final. They are in a great moment, they play in their field; I think they have only lost one game so far this season in LaLiga, against Real Madrid… It is a difficult opponent in a difficult stadium. We know what awaits us and we are going to compete. We would take a big step forward if we achieve victory,” he continued.
The Catalan coach insisted that it is “the most intense team” in the championship. “The other day they won 3-0 and they continue to pressure you in the 90th minute. In their field I think they double that intensity, that soul that they have. They are a tough team and they also play very good football, they are already clear about that.” But above all I would highlight that intensity, that rhythm of competition that they have, which is extraordinary for me. And that is a credit to their coach,” he said, before praising the ‘Txingurri’.
“Ernesto Valverde is a great coach, he showed it here at Barça, now he puts Athletic in the Cup final again. It is a very difficult, rocky team. It is the most physical rival in every sense: Meters, intensity, sprints , everything. Therefore, tomorrow is a match of maximum difficulty,” he continued.
Regarding the fact that the ‘lions’ have only had three days of rest, it is not clear how it may affect them. “It can affect them because they will be tired from playing on Thursday, we have had a long week. But their confidence is through the roof. They can be proud of the season they are having: they are competing, they are in a Cup final… We hope that the losses are noticeable; Vivian, Yuri are not there, Nico Williams’ loss is a significant loss, but it will change little,” he stated.
Now, Barça will try to remain undefeated as a visitor. “The other day we were talking about how Montjuïc will surely have affected the team’s emotional state. We don’t feel as good as we did at the Camp Nou, but they are games we should have won. Away from home we are competing well, we have even drawn games that we should have won. Still, yes, we are undefeated. It is a good sign and tomorrow is a very complicated exit, from the rivals or from the most difficult stadiums that we have left until the end of the season,” he explained.
In another vein, he assured that Ferran Torres is “almost” ready, before talking about Joao Félix’s form. “I think he is giving us many things, dynamism, he is good in depth, goals, assists. He feels good and comfortable in that winger position that goes inside. I am happy with Joao,” he said about the Portuguese.
Thus, he stated that he has “no complaints or reproaches” against the staff. “Quite the opposite. I think we have become more united after our decision to leave the club on June 30. The team has taken a step forward and Robert -Lewandowski- too. I think he is playing better, that he is more intense both with ball as without ball. He has made many differences for the team again,” he said of the Pole.
In addition, the culé coach gave explanations for Vitor Roque’s lack of minutes. “Vítor has come from an injury, he has had to pick up the rhythm of the competition, the rhythm of the game and adapt to our system. We normally have Robert Lewandowski as ‘9’, so he has had to adapt. He has played very little, he is adapting very well to our winger position that goes inside, in depth he is giving us many things. But he is young, he has competition. It is a matter of time, he is a footballer who can give us many things, in fact he is already giving them to us”, he pointed out.
He also assured that he sees Iñigo Martínez “calm” before facing his former team. “Also, to give an example, he returned to what was his home, which was San Sebastián, and played, having a great game. I don’t think his mentality or his performance changed. I think he is prepared, he is professional. Even This match can be extra motivating,” he said.
Finally, Xavi downplayed the fact of being able to see the fifth yellow card this Sunday. “Now I try not to see the fifth. It’s my way of living from football, I’m passionate. You won’t say that I’m not involved, with four yellow cards, an expulsion in Getafe… Intensity. What I try to convey is my passion and my intensity, and sometimes I make mistakes. Obviously, I am human,” he concluded.