MADRID, 26 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, considers that the “illusion and euphoria” that surround the team after eliminating Napoli are good, but that they must be “realistic and prudent”, starting with this Sunday’s game against Athletic Club, and has pointed out that they should be “ashamed to lose the ball” and that scoring on the counterattack “is also Barça’s DNA”.
“It’s good that there is enthusiasm and euphoria, but we also have to be realistic, prudent and work with a lot of humility. This goes game after game. We have to confirm that we are improving, but each game is a final. We don’t rule out anything, I still have the same speech from the first day, without ruling anything out and knowing that it will be very difficult to win LaLiga. I am glad that the president is euphoric because he transmits us joy and courage; he is a natural leader and I think he is very good, perfect”, he declared at a press conference.
In addition, he acknowledged that he notices that “illusion” among the fans. “The people who stop me on the street, the ones I see at the traffic lights at the Ciudad Deportiva, are excited. We have to keep working and work hard in every game. At Barça, it’s only worth winning, but if we don’t succeed, that the fans feel proud that we give our lives. We need the fans, who have been a show lately at the Camp Nou, we thank them”, he underlined.
However, the Catalan coach reiterated that they must “improve in many aspects”. “We still lose unnecessary balls, we have to be ashamed to lose the ball on many occasions. We have to be more responsible, attack better and defend the area better, but it is also evidence that there is significant improvement. We have to improve, this is also an evidence. We cannot say that we are at a very high level; at times yes, at others not, but the margin for improvement is very wide”, he explained.
He also claimed that Barça must also play on the counterattack. “Madrid caught us on the counterattack just like we caught Napoli. This is football, this is also DNA. When they press high and there is space from the middle of the field to their goalkeeper, the space is created. I remember Stoichkov, Villa or Henry doing it. I, for example, gave a pass like that at 2-6. Anything goes, a corner goal is also valid, it’s also DNA. We take advantage of the opponent’s weakness and the spaces that are generated,” he explained.
Despite the euphoria that currently reigns at ‘Can Barça’, Xavi is aware that “there will be criticism just the same”. “Nothing happens, I know where I am. I have a position with a lot of responsibility and I accept criticism. This is about excellence, about winning, about doing very well on the pitch, outside, in press conferences… It’s the best club in the world, it’s not only worth winning, but also playing well,” he said.
“The 22-23 touches from the other day are what people like. We can win or lose, but people identify with the team’s game is essential. I accept criticism. Now there are praises, but not now am I the most handsome in the world, or if we lose, the ugliest. Emotional balance, “he continued.
About his rival on Sunday, Xavi believes that not much will change compared to the one they have already faced this season. “I don’t think Marcelino will change the style of play or the idea they have too much. Marcelino has it very clear and he is a great coach. He is a very physical opponent who can press up high or get into a low block very hard, very difficult, and he tries That’s why it’s the last team that has beaten us,” he said.
“On Wednesday they have the most important match of the season, the Cup semifinal; I don’t know if they will rotate, but we must look at ourselves and consolidate all the good things we have done,” he said. “We will change little and they will not change either. We have improved in many facets of the game: circulation of the ball, dynamism, more support for the player who has the ball, players with more confidence and morale, who give you victories. We have improved, but we must show in every game. At Barça every game is an exam and tomorrow we have one against a very fit rival who won the derby 4-0 and is in the Cup semi-finals”, he added.
He also highlighted the danger of the Iñaki brothers and Nico Williams. “They are very fast players, they take advantage of spaces on the counterattack very well. We have to stop them and minimize them. Raúl García or Sancet can comb and then go out into space. They are not only physical, but technically they are also capable of generating on their own. goal situations. It’s a very good Athletic, it’s a very important generation of footballers”, he analysed.
In another order of things, he confirmed that both Memphis and Clément Lenglet will be on the list “if there is no setback”. “Now there is more competition, but Memphis and Clément must be important. It is better that there is competition and in the end performance rules. Both must be important and it will depend on them,” he said.
He also praised Dutchman Frenkie de Jong, who he said is “very self-critical and very demanding of himself.” “Whenever I ask him, he says he can play better. The other day he had a great game. He has the ability. We insist that he step into the area, that it be important. There have been moments of criticism, but he is mentally strong. He is very humble and a great footballer,” he stressed.
“I would like to play, but I can’t. I enjoyed it a lot and I hope that now these players can enjoy it. We ask the insiders to support the back, to have a resource for the third man, to attack the space if the central player comes out… We want them to They are transcendent. Rijkaard made me play inside and that is what I say to Gavi, Frenkie, Pedri, Nico… We generated many chances with the insides and this is important”, he continued.
Finally, Xavi joked about the words of Carles Puyol, who bet a dinner that Xavi Hernández’s Barça would win LaLiga Santander. “We’ll go to dinner the same way, because ‘Puyi’ is a very good friend. He’s a very optimistic guy, he has a lot of confidence in me and I appreciate it. I wish we had him in the locker room, because he’s spectacular. We’re going to fight, but knowing the difficulty It will be easy. We’re in a difficult situation, with a big difference in points, we don’t depend on ourselves at all, but we’re going to fight until the math says the opposite”, he concluded.