MADRID, 15 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, has assured that “no” he would sign to beat Real Madrid this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu (4:15 p.m.) without playing well, in addition to indicating that the setback against Inter in the Champions League will not affect them because the Clásico is “the match in which the previous match is given less importance”.
“No”, he responded emphatically at a press conference when asked if he would win in any way. “It’s not the objective, the objective is to win by playing well: to have the ball, to be protagonists, to be aggressive in pressing, to attack many times… From here on, the consequence is the result. People are very result-oriented, it’s normal,” he added.
In addition, he assured that it is important to leave the Classic “reinforced”. “It’s a vital match for us, also for Madrid, whoever wins will be the leader of this confrontation. I have the feeling that we are under construction, what happened the other day is sad and makes us angry, but we have to be positive and believe in the project. We are on the right track. The grades are at the end of the season, although the grade in Europe is not good”, he affirmed.
Regarding the 0-4 harvested last season at the Bernabéu, he acknowledged that it can serve as a “reference”. “Of course it can serve as a reference for us to be brave, to play with personality, to have high possessions in the opposition field, which is one of the keys, to be patient… They also feel very comfortable in mixed or low blocks and going against, but we need to be in a block. We have to attack in a compact way. We have to be brave, have personality, and the proof was very clear last year, without arriving at the best moment. We arrived in a better position in League and we have to take advantage of it,” he said.
“It is the game in which the previous game is given less importance. You are so focused on the Clásico that you forget the dynamics, I have experienced it as a player. Last year is an evident proof, and it ended the way it did. We cannot predict anything “, he continued.
He also assured that they will change “little” compared to last year’s duel. “He is a great rival, competitive, who takes full advantage of his qualities. It’s not how to stop Vinícius, but how to stop Madrid”, he said. “We don’t have Ronald -Araujo-, who played a great game last year and stopped Vinícius in one-on-one. Whoever plays on the right will have to be very good and will have to have help,” he insisted.
In another order of things, Xavi downplayed the criticism of the team’s situation in ‘Champions’, although he understands the fans. “When there is a disappointment of this caliber there is a lot of criticism and everything is doubted: the coach, the captains, the signings… I try to focus on work. I don’t know if it’s fair or unfair. We tied a game that we shouldn’t have and criticism arrives. Focusing on work is the most crucial thing. You don’t have to be aware of the noise from outside,” he stressed.
“I know where I am. We have failed on a day in which we should not fail. If I have something it is empathy, I understand the Barça fan, I am also disappointed and sad. He did not give us to win the game, but we are not going to stop. I came here to reverse the situation and it can be achieved. The day I don’t see it, I’ll sit here and say so. I see wicks in the squad. In Europe we are failing, but not in LaLiga. The situation can still be reversed, I’m optimistic “, he continued.
In this sense, he defined himself as “born optimist”. “I’m very confident in the work we’re doing, we’ve improved. At the level of results, the pity is Inter’s day, because we had good feelings. In LaLiga we’re doing very well, leaders and we haven’t lost any games. I know there’s a lot pressure, but I’m very culé and I won’t stop insisting on what we’re doing. The day I don’t see it, I’m going home. I won’t be a problem for Barça the day I think I’m not a solution”, he warned.
Nor did he find explanations for the fact that he only conceded one goal in LaLiga Santander and seven in the ‘Champions’. “It’s difficult to explain. There is a lot of individual error, although there is a lot of merit from the opponent. Many times it is our demerit, we have to be more aware of the defensive line. Tomorrow is an important test to continue believing that we are well”, he stated, before to deny that the team lacks muscle. “You need more muscle but this one, from the brain,” he pointed out.
Regarding the conversation with the president Joan Laporta after the duel against Inter, he denied that there was talk of his continuity. “He gave me maximum confidence, he told me that there was a long season left, that he had shown his face at all times in Europe. He is a phenomenon, he is positive. It is a shame what happened the other day, but also what happened in Milan and in Munich. This ‘Champions’ is being cruel to us, but we must not get out of the way of the work we are doing. We are fine”, he explained.
Finally, Xavi confessed that he “likes” playing against Madrid. “I always tell footballers that I would like to continue being a footballer to play these types of games. If you want to be a footballer, it is in these types of games where you have to measure up, and as a coach too. You have to do different things, get out of the script… It’s spectacular to play a match of this caliber, with maximum motivation. It’s a great opportunity to become even more leaders”, he concluded.