In any case, before the commitment with Madrid, Barça are facing a trip today (6.30pm, Movistar LaLiga) to measure their good feelings against a rival with a bad memory recently. Because it was Granada who thwarted the dream of the last league with a victory at the Camp Nou (1-2) that also started the spiral of distrust of Laporta towards Koeman. And it was also the Andalusian team that began to portray the drift of this season, in a game in which only one goal from Araujo in the last minute served to scratch a point (1-1). Xavi, therefore, is warned of the dangers that can be caused by the team of Robert Moreno, an old acquaintance who was part of the staff of Luis Enrique. However, the Barça coach will be able to count on Gavi, Dest, Lenglet and Abde, who have already recovered from the coronavirus. The first of the four has the most options to return directly to the lineup.
In connection with Wednesday’s Copa trip, Xavi will once again have Luuk de Jong, the hero of last Sunday’s victory in Mallorca, and he hopes to be able to give minutes back to Memphis Depay, who was injured in Munich and has lost latest commitments. If all goes well, this will be the last game without Ferran Torres, an offensive hope acquired in this winter market.
Xavi’s reflections at a press conference
Xavi appeared at a press conference and reflected on different aspects of Barça’s current affairs.
Ansu Fati, available for a la Supercopa. “Ansu will not be ready to play against Granada due to a physical issue, but he will be ready for the Super Cup. The pity of the last matches is that he did not have all the players available. “She’s done it alone. It’s a disgrace to me. We’ll have all the cash for the Super Cup. Or almost all of us. We only have two positives left, Pedri and Ferran Torres.”
Coutinho’s departure. “Leaving to have minutes says a lot about him. His salary has been lowered. He is a great professional and I hope he does well. About Umtiti, we’ll see what happens. I’m delighted with everyone, play or not play.”
From the first team. “Gavi is a reality. It doesn’t make sense for him to play for the subsidiary. The same goes for Nico, who will be international, for sure. Abde’s issue, too. the salary cap “.
Robert Moreno, a great coach. “They created a staff fantastic with Luis Enrique. Luis is one of my references. I am very grateful to him. To him, to Rafel Pol, to Robert Moreno … Robert did an extraordinary job. In Granada he is doing very well. He’s a great footballer. “
Dembélé, no matter what happens. “Ousmane is part of the squad. He had the covid and we needed him in Linares, where he made a goal and a crossbar. We put him in and he gave up. That’s what we expect from him. He will continue to be part of the template “.
Collado, motivated against his ex-team. “I wish he always played. The pity was that we couldn’t sign him because of a bureaucratic issue. He stood out in training. The goal is for him to come back in June and help us. He will show his talent, for sure. good dwarf and he deserves it “.
You can compete against Real Madrid. “So far the only rival that has been better than us has been Bayern. Despite losing to Betis, we were better than them. At Pizjuán we drew against Sevilla and we were better than them. With the only team “We didn’t need time and patience, but we are on the right track. Yes, the goal is to compete against Madrid, beat them in the Super Cup semi-finals and reach the final.”
Jutglà’s performance. “Ferran is very mature, much older than his 22 years. He understands the position game. He is very positive for us, he knows how to position himself and when to press.”
Araujo, doubt for Saudi Arabia. “It will be necessary to see his evolution. It will not be easy for him to be ready for the Super Cup. He made a great effort, because he played until the break in Linares with two broken bones.”
Memphis, a punt per a Granada. “He is very good. He has a tremendous predisposition. He is a very involved player, with a lot of commitment. If all goes well, we hope to count on him against Granada.”
Assessment of the Cup draw. “We were unlucky. We had a tough opponent away from home, with one of the best coaches in Spain (Marcelino). We would have liked to play at home. It was a difficult draw. It’s last year’s final.” .
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