“The biggest disappointment of this season was the fall in ‘Champions'”
MADRID, 25 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, has ensured that his players can be “proud” of how they competed against Manchester United despite their elimination in the Europa League, recalling that “the biggest disappointment this season was the fall in ‘ Champions'”, in addition to ensuring that if they won LaLiga Santander and the Copa del Rey it would be “a very good season”.
“This continues, we have other goals. The biggest disappointment this season was the loss in the ‘Champions’. This hurts, but we have LaLiga and the Cup, which is essential for us. The main goal is to continue winning titles and we have two at stake. This continues. It annoys us to lose, but we have to get up. Today the sun came out and we have to continue working with humility”, he declared at a press conference.
In addition, he believes that they should “think positive” and focus on the two competitions in which they are still alive. “We don’t like losing, the way we lost I think we deserved something more. Now we have to focus 200% on LaLiga and the Cup,” he said. “We have to be proud of how we have competed and how we have planned the game. You can lose, this is sport. The players are frustrated, but we are already thinking about the game against Almería,” he stressed.
In this sense, they will try that the elimination “does not” “affect” them in what remains of the course. “We have to change the chip, think that in LaLiga we are very well positioned. We have a very good dynamic in LaLiga, we haven’t lost a game since the Bernabéu,” he said. “I haven’t read almost anything. If we had gone through the same game, it would be said that Barça has returned to compete in Europe. We played a good game, we had to live the face of defeat. They showed their faces, they saw a Barça giving a good image, and we have LaLiga and the Cup left us”, he continued.
“On a physical level we are the team that is doing the best: the one that covers the most distance, with the most rhythm. We have a fantastic physical preparation staff. Everyone works for the team. The team gives their all on the field and that is the most important thing. We may be missing things at the football level, but we can be proud of how we compete and how we run on the field”, highlighted the Catalan coach.
Thus, he considers that if they won LaLiga Santander and the Copa del Rey “it would be a very good season.” “When leagues are won at an important club like Barça, they always turn out to be good seasons. It depends on us; we are in a very good situation in LaLiga, also in the Cup, although we have a really difficult opponent like Madrid. LaLiga and the Cup, plus the Super Cup already won, it would be a very good season,” he said.
On the other hand, Xavi appealed not to think yet about the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday against Real Madrid. “People can’t be aware of Thursday’s game, even if it’s a Clásico and a Cup semifinal. Tomorrow we’ll play a lot: it’s LaLiga, we depend on us to win it and they are three very important points, vital for us,” he stressed.
“It’s a totally different competition, it’s not a final like the Super Cup, it’s a tie. The Camp Nou game will be important, but there will be one left at the Bernabéu that will be even more important and decisive. We are focused on Almería, we will have time to talk during the week,” he added.
“THE ONE FROM ALMERÍA WILL BE A PARTY OF PATIENCE”
In another order of things, he revealed that Ronald Araujo “is available” and “100%” despite being changed due to discomfort against United, and explained that Ansu Fati “had a concussion yesterday and will be out tomorrow”. “But we hope to have it by Thursday,” he said, before speaking about Ousmane Dembélé’s state of form. “He is very good. He has very good feelings, he is not 100% but he is close to returning to the group. We cannot force him, his feelings will mark his return,” he said.
He also believes that striker Ferran Torres “has clicked” and is more enfucha. “The home game the other day meant a lot to him and to us, it was one of the best games he played at Barça. It will be important for the rest of the games,” he said.
Regarding Robert Lewandowski and his commitment to Barça, he assured that he “is aware that this is a project in the medium and long term”. “He is aware of where he is. He has already seen that we have competed, that we have tried,” he said regarding the European elimination. “He participates more: he comes more to receive, to unload, but we have to look for him more in the area. I miss the center, the last pass,” he added.
Regarding which Almería they will meet this Sunday, Xavi highlighted all the possibilities available to the Andalusian team. “I can’t get into Rubi’s head, he has two alternatives, a line of four and a line of five. He is an opponent who has lost very few games at home, he goes very well against with very fast and powerful players,” he said. .
“It will be difficult for us, at home they are strong, they have scored many points. After the defeat in Girona, I imagine they will defend in a line of five. We have to be dominant, spend a lot of time in the opposite field, attack very well… It will be a game of patience, calm”, he continued.
Nor does he think about the Madrid derby this Saturday. “We have to be focused on what we can control. We have to win tomorrow’s game regardless of what happens today. We will be aware of what happens in the Madrid derby, it is evident,” he explained.
Finally, Xavi reflected on the celebrations of some footballers like Garnacho or Vinícius. “When the player is so happy, anger comes out, he remembers the injustices and the criticism, and each one expresses it as it comes out. A little more empathy is needed; you are very happy, but you also have to respect the fans opposite and the opposite team. You have to celebrate it with your teammates and not celebrate so that it is understood as a provocation towards the other. Empathy is often lacking”, he concluded.
