MADRID, 4 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, has assured that he does not consider his team “favourite” to win LaLiga Santander but he does consider it a “candidate”, especially taking into account that they will fight against a “strong” Real Madrid, and has highlighted that they must “give value” to how they were last year and how they are this year.
“You have to give value to where we were last year and where we are now. We are in a moment of illusion, I see the people filling the field and this is spectacular,” he declared at a press conference. “I feel like a candidate to win it, but not a favourite. We’re competing against the current champion of LaLiga and the ‘Champions’. It’s going to be very difficult for us to fight to win titles against a very strong Real Madrid. We’re going to fight in LaLiga until the penultimate or the last matchday. I continue to see a strong Real Madrid even though they are five points away”, he continued.
In this sense, he believes that the growth compared to last year is “exponential” and considers that they are “on the right track” but “under construction”. “From here to compare with other such good times is excessive,” he warned. “We have pressure every game. We are Barça, we are exposed to that pressure. Better to fight to win titles than to fall in category”, he pointed out.
Even so, the Barcelona coach recognized that they are “in a good moment”. “In the best period in Barça’s history we didn’t always play brilliant games. I’m very satisfied with how we’re doing in the League. We’re in good form, people are gaining confidence and morale, the Super Cup has given us a lot of peace of mind. The note, at the end of the season”, he insisted.
In addition, he assured that “not losing and winning the Super Cup” has given them “confidence”. “It’s important to see that we can win titles. We have to continue with this mentality and demand. People have freed themselves with this Super Cup and they see that we can win and get titles,” he said.
“You have to talk to the players, tell them that not much has been achieved; we have won the Super Cup, but this is about winning LaLiga, the Cup and the Europa League. You have to be family in the dressing room, we have achieved it. There is a a fantastic group and a very good atmosphere, one of the best I have experienced in my career. We are working well and we are on the right path, but we must not let our guard down”, he continued, assuring that, after adding 50 points in the first return, they do not think about equaling the historic league of 100 points. “I’m not worried, I’m worried about winning it, even if we score 70 points. If we equal a record, we’re welcome,” he said.
“THINGS WILL WORK OUT FOR ANSU FATI, WE HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE”
On the other hand, he assessed what the team gains with a fourth midfielder. “We feel comfortable with any system, we’ve also had great games playing with two wingers. Perhaps this man’s neatness is what changes, but practically nothing changes. It’s the same as we did last year, but this year we’re more mature and in better form, we have better and more variable players. We are just as comfortable. The four midfielders, Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie and Busi, are perhaps the ones who lose the least balls of the whole team and this allows the team to be more cohesive,” he said.
Even so, he believes that this system “benefits the entire team.” “If we are closer together, the pressure after loss is more immediate,” he said, before speaking about Dutchman Frenkie de Jong. “Frenkie has always been very necessary. He has enormous potential to do what he wants in midfield, he has all the conditions. He’s a footballer that I’ve always liked and that’s why he’s one of the most used by me since I’ve been a coach “, he insisted.
The Catalan coach also assured that Ousmane Dembélé, injured, “is the best footballer in the squad one on one”, but recalled that his role can be assumed by other footballers. “We want to open the field, to be protagonists with the ball. We lose one on one but we win in other things,” he said about the loss of the French.
In addition, he revealed that Alejandro Balde has not entered due to a feverish process, but he is confident that he can be ready this Sunday. “The doctors have told me that he could be fine tomorrow, we’ll see how he is,” he said. “We have been surprised by his rapid evolution, that he is at a spectacular level. Assisting, being important in defense… His performance is spectacular. I am very happy for him, he deserves it because he has worked a lot”, he assured he.
Regarding Ansu Fati and his state of form, he was optimistic. “Things will work out for him, we have to be patient. Ansu is an asset to the club, we trust him a lot. He has a tremendous mentality. I’m happy. He’s 20 years old and needs time,” he said, before talking about Raphinha. “He is always important, whenever he plays he generates things for you. He is a transcendental player in the game, he always works for the team. He is a guarantee and I have a lot of confidence in him, this goal helps him a lot,” he listed. .
The Barca coach also recalled that when Robert Lewandowski was suspended, the team “solved the matches”. “We have to generate things in all possible ways. Robert makes a difference, and so do the others. The footballers have to join the attack and make a difference,” he explained.
Regarding the absence of Pablo Torre from the last calls, he acknowledged that the youth player “needs rhythm and matches” and that is why he will be with Barça B. “At his age, he cannot spend two or three weekends without playing. to play with the subsidiary to be prepared if we need it,” he said.
In another order of things, Xavi explained that it will only be Sergio Busquets who must decide his future. “The decision is yours, we are waiting for what you can decide. He is a very important person and adds to everything. He has won to decide his future. If he decides to continue, I would be delighted if he could continue helping us,” he said.
Nor did he want to assess the tough tackle from Gabriel Paulista on the Real Madrid striker Vinícius. “They are footballers like Ousmane or Neymar. Footballers who have so much one-on-one make the opponent more aggressive, they have a lot of surveillance and coverage. Vinícius generates a lot of things for you in attack. There is a referee and a Committee and they have to do their job “, he declared.
Regarding the duel against Sevilla, he assured that it will be “a difficult rival despite its classification and the fact that a major crisis of results has passed.” “Sampaoli has recovered a strong and competitive Sevilla, he is a great coach, who works very well on the defensive aspect and who does very good things with high pressure. We played at home against a rebellious team, who has players with a lot of experience to get things out We arrived in a good moment of form but tomorrow will be a new test and we have to overcome it with the three points”, he stressed.
Lastly, Xavi did not want to talk about the controversy caused by the free-kick against Real Betis, which was the second goal for the blaugranas at the Benito Villamarín (1-2). “I find it funny. We have already suffered a few of this type, there is a point of fanaticism and things are seen where there are none. Something fair becomes unfair, it is curious,” he concluded.