Xavi: “We don’t lack a goal, what we lack is daring”

Can tomorrow’s game be different because of how Villarreal plays?

Yes, it is a more offensive team than Espanyol and Benfica. They push up in their field, with good technique and they don’t give the ball away. A great team and a great coach. It will be complicated and it is a field in which we suffer.

Have you managed to change something about the team?

I’m happy with the pressure, we won a lot of duels, with the pressure after loss, we haven’t conceded, but in attack we have to dare more. The player profiles are very young, it happened to me. There is a goal, because I see it in training. It does not serve us to be only correct, we must go for the ’10’ for excellence.

Why so many changes in medical services?

I want to surround myself with people I trust, loyal and faithful. And that would be Ricard Pruna, who for me is the best doctor Barcelona has ever had. It is close to coming. He should never have left the club, he is number one.

How is Ansu Fati going?

He has good feelings, he has started to run, but you have to be careful. We’ll see if we take the risk as we did with Dembélé, who was not well and made a titanic effort to be with us the other day. If I could be for Munich it would be spectacular.

What would you say to those who offer money for young people?

Well, we need us. They are not for sale at all. We want you to be happy here.

Would it be a turning point to win?

It would be very important because he is a direct rival. We have emergencies and we have to win every game. The idea is to always win the three points.

Is there too much euphoria?

Let each one say what they want. I’m happy, the team works very well, we need the last third of the field and get more to the area. I am quite satisfied.

What role do you see for Riqui Puig?

He is one of the staff. Like everyone, you will have opportunities. He has a lot of talent for attacking centrals and making the last pass. It has to be important.

How is Dembélé?

Okay, but you have to be careful. Very pleased with your involvement. We’ll see how it goes, we have to take care of it.

Has he told you if he will stay?

I told him how important it is to me, but then it depends on him and his environment. He tells me that he is happy, but I do not know his surroundings. It depends on him and I hope he renews.

Do you think there is an Xavi effect?

I cannot predict the future and I have already said that I am satisfied. I see the team with a very good predisposition, but if we don’t win tomorrow there will be no effect. They get the idea. All the coaches depend on the results.

Do you notice a certain animosity in the art of your rivals after your arrival, maybe because of the damage you did to them?

By? I hurt? I am not aware of the rivals, I am more aware of the fans, the public and the people who stop me on the street who are excited and we have to reciprocate. It is always more difficult to win being a great because they want you, but I don’t notice animosity, I notice the support of our people.

Is there plenty of football and a goal is missing as happened at the beginning with Guardiola at the beginning?

What we lack is daring, which is logical with such a young team. In what we are similar is that the beginning is not easy.

Are you following Arthur Cabral or looking for another profile?

The signings are hypotheses and one comes out every day. We cannot answer all of them because one comes out every day. Our striker must understand the spaces, attack them and associate.

Is the extreme position the position that concerns you the most?

I worry about all of them. The extreme is an all or nothing position where you can have half an hour of fuss and then nothing, but you always have to try. It is a very psychological position, which is why I am more broken in that position than in others.

How do you see Umtiti and Lenglet?

They are very good and are an example. They train very well and everyone deserves to play. I will be very unfair to some. We will need them at some point.

Do you see that there is a lack of confidence in some forwards?

If so, I give them all the confidence. You have to try. It’s okay, we’ll get it back.

With which midfielder do you see yourself most reflected thinking about your beginnings?

Everyone can reach the area and they have more conditions than I do to reach the area. They have more powers. Perhaps the one I feel most identified with is Busquets because of his obsession with not losing the ball.

Is it a challenge to make Dembélé understand the association game?

Yes, what I want is for him to be a better player in June and May. If we achieve it with everyone, we will be closer to winning titles. You have to teach him when to attack, dribble or save the ball.

Are you worried that Busquets is warned?

It is very intelligent and for my fundamental piece. It’s the team’s thermometer. He is also an absolute and brutal leader.

Would you like a Manchester player to arrive now that Mateu Alemany is there?

Cantona. We will see the movements we can make. Tomorrow is more important.

How do you implement new methods with the need to win?

It is not easy, we have no choice but to win, but we are on the right track.

Can Araújo be one of the team leaders?

I am delighted to have him, it is a difficult profile to find because there are not many who enjoy defending like him. But not only him, they are all impressive in attitude.