At the press conference before the game against FC Elche, Xavi spoke about the importance of ending the year with a sense of achievement. In addition, Xavi spoke about the problems that some players have – and was incomprehensible about them.
Press conference: Xavi speaks before the league duel against FC Elche
At the press conference before the encounter against Elche (Saturday, 6 p.m., live in the ticker on Barçawelt and in the stream on DAZN) On matchday 18 in La Liga, coach Xavi Hernández answered questions from journalists.
Xavi Hernandez…
… about the game against Elche: “We have an important game ahead of us tomorrow. It’s the last game at Camp Nou for this year and we need the support of the fans. There are three very important points that we want to pick up. We are on the right track to play better football. Tomorrow will be a good opportunity to take the next step. “
…over Ousmane Dembélé’s future with the Catalans: “I had a conversation with him yesterday and he looked happy. He has to decide whether he wants to continue here. Then his advisor and the association have to find a solution. He knows he’s important to me and the team, so he’s motivated. At the moment he lacks precision in the end, but he helps us a lot. I am confident that it will extend. “
…over the Season goals and team development: “I trust the team and the players. We miss the positive results, but the feeling in the group is getting better and more positive. Tomorrow against Elche will be a test: We want to play proactively with the ball and have the outcome of the game in our own hands. Even if you say that you work well and have a good attitude, what counts in the end is whether you win and collect the three points. The main goal is to get into the top four and win titles. The gap to leaders Real Madrid is very large, but you should never rule out anything. “
… about a possible assignment of Dembélé and Jordi Alba: “Both are fit and can be used against moose.”
…over the importance of the last two games in 2021: “The team needs victories. We work hard on ourselves and end the training sessions feeling happy. We have to win tomorrow to create a positive dynamic. We want to get six points at the end of the year. “
… to the question of how and whether the team can be strengthened in winter: “We’ll be thinking about it from January 1st. Tomorrow’s game and the one against Sevilla represent reality and the present. We have to collect points now. “
… when asked why Eric Garcia is no longer in the starting XI: “He’s going to play a lot more games. I count on every player. But we also have to give all players a chance to prove themselves. Maybe Lenglet won’t play tomorrow, then you’ll ask me the same question next time. We have so many good players – I can’t always use them all. Eric is very important to us. “
… about the chance to win titles this season: “This club is predestined to win titles. We believe in ourselves and in our abilities. We have to fight for the cup and the super cup and grow with these challenges. It’s too early to write off the championship. We’re not giving up the title without a fight. I see things positively, but also realistically. “
Xavi: “Some players don’t understand positional play.”
… about the current situation of the team: “She misses a little understanding of football. It is difficult for some players to understand positional play, which is strange when you play at Barça. We’re eighth in the table and we’re trying to get the momentum on our side. We have to be brave. The team shows a great mentality. “
… about the La Liga boss Tebas’ statements that Barça could not afford Haaland: “We are in an economically precarious position. We have to be realistic and know that it won’t be easy to add new players to our team. In this case I don’t know anything. Everyone would like Haaland to come to Spain – Tebas most of all. Such a transfer would also be positive with a view to La Liga. “
…over the work with the team and his wishes for new signings: “I believe in what we do as a coaching team and the players trust us. I have a clear vision and have told the president and sports director what we need in the short and medium term. “
… about Barça’s problems scoring goals and whether Ferran Jutgla could start as a center forward against Elche: “Ferran is a possibility. He played well lately. In general, the youngsters leave their mark and do a good job. We don’t lack a goal hazard, we have to get into the penalty area more and have more confidence in ourselves. “
… about possible departures in winter: “We are exploring all possibilities. When we talk about reinforcements for the team, we have to talk about departures in the same breath. But this topic is not important at the moment. We’re only thinking of the games against Elche and Sevilla. “
…over Marc-André ter Stegen’s current form: “He’s still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. But one factor is currently low for him: self-confidence. If we perform well, this factor increases again by itself. “
… when asked how difficult it is to take over a team in the middle of the season: “It is true that this is not easy. We didn’t have any preparation with the team to rehearse the positional play or the defensive. I’ve been here for a little over a month and I can see that we need to change a few things. Players, yes, but also dynamics, habits, specific aspects: for example, we no longer defend the way we did under the previous coach. These aspects take their time, which we just don’t have. It is clear that we have to strengthen the team – especially on the offensive. “
… about the Copa del Rey draw, where Barça will meet third division club Linares: “It is going to be difficult. It’s true that it’s a team from a low league. However, the last few seasons have shown that supposedly worse teams can also eliminate the big clubs. So it won’t be easy, we also play away, it’s a knockout game. Barça B has already won there this season and we have already made a report on that game. “
Copa del Rey: FC Barcelona starts against Alaves-Schreck from the 3rd division
