MADRID, 20 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, They are fighting this season, in addition to warning that “a difficult exit” awaits them this Sunday against Real Betis.
“We play with the same pressure that you play if you are five points ahead. Last year we were nine points ahead, Madrid came and they told us that we could lose LaLiga. Now we are optimistic, knowing that these points can be overcome. We must try If we do it well, there is a whole second round left,” he declared at a press conference.
To begin this task, “a difficult start” awaits them this Sunday. “They have not lost at home for many games. We begin a second round with all the enthusiasm in the world; we know that we have an important points difference with Girona and Madrid, but we think that it can be overcome and that it depends a little on us, starting in the morning. It is a team that plays football well, but also lets you play. It is the best setting to see a good Barça and to win, all from good play,” he noted.
“I always think positively, you know me. I want to think that we are going to be able to fight in this competition. There are two teams that are ahead, but I think about playing a good game tomorrow, in which Barça can be seen from the first round. The objective “is to continue winning games to get us into the race for LaLiga,” he added, reiterating his conviction that they can win the three titles. “I believe it firmly and forcefully. I can’t say that we will do it, but I can say that we will try, I am convinced,” he said.
For this reason, the Catalan coach considers that they cannot give up either LaLiga or the Copa del Rey. “We cannot discard either of them. We will go for the three titles we have left. In February the ‘Champions’ will begin. We are motivated, excited. We have to improve and win games convincingly. The whole game is there, except the Super Cup,” express.
In addition, he highlighted that “there is a lot of lack” of optimism in the culé environment. “It’s what’s missing the most, but I’m already counteracting it. I suppose the Catalans, the club, the history… Betis and Athletic are coming and I see an opportunity. The fact of having been a footballer and having won many things makes me It gives peace of mind, but I have also lost many things. Barça has not always won,” he recalled.
“We accept the level of demand, but many times there is a lack of positivity. The other day we were 13 boys from the quarry called up, we are playing with boys of 16, 17 and 18 years old, we are building ourselves, and they have also killed me to say the least. that. It’s attitude: if you want to see it negative, you will see it. The environment is not positive. Failure would be not trying,” he continued.
He also talked about the Cup tie against Athletic Club. “It will score positively if we win tomorrow and if we manage to qualify in San Mamés. They are a rival that we did not want and in their field. Step by step, first tomorrow, we have to think about Betis and reengage in LaLiga that has been put before us complicated,” he said. “It’s a pure draw and we have had less luck. Everything is at stake, we will compete in San Mamés. The last two times they eliminated us, and I hope the third time is the charm. We know that it is a very complicated scenario and that it is one of the teams fitter,” he continued.
In another vein, Xavi spoke about how he sees his players, and clarified the statements in which he stated that sometimes he despaired of the team. “In the defensive line we are very good, as I like, in the pressure after loss also, we recover many balls; in aspects of strategy we are excellent,” he stressed.
“I refer more to the last pass, to choosing well, but we must understand that we have very young people in these positions. I say that I despair because I see the pass, which was my quality, and it does not happen as I have in my head. It is a question of time, of training him and of correcting him. It was not a criticism, it was a feeling that I had. I understand the footballer and if there is one thing I have, it is that I am empathetic,” he said.
In this sense, he reiterated that “the message has not changed from day one”: “that they try, that they play football well, the way we always train.” “We have done it in many games; we have to achieve the level of the day of Betis at home, of Porto, of Atlético, of Athletic… We want to win and convince, but many times it is costing us. Everything is at stake. It is a message of tranquility, calm and competition,” he stated.
On the other hand, he revealed that he will make changes in the next matches. “Surely we will need rotations. There are discomforts, there is fatigue, we play every three days, there is only one that has been postponed for the Cup. We must recover people,” he said, before talking about Vitor Roque’s condition. “It was a small annoyance that he had, but now he is one hundred percent,” he said.
Regarding the Portuguese Joao Cancelo, he noted that it is “difficult” for him to be ready for Sunday. “But for the Cup I am optimistic. He tried in the Super Cup, he is very positive. He wants to be there, he was suffering because he couldn’t. Today he is fine, the logical thing is that he won’t be there tomorrow, but he will be there for San Mamés,” he declared.
Finally, he said that Ferran Torres “embodies what a mentally strong footballer is.” “Here on a day-to-day basis they make you feel small, that you are worthless, that you are of no use. It doesn’t matter if you are a coach, a player, a press officer, a doctor… I spoke with Ferran in the summer, he sent me a very important message and I thought that he would change. He is strong, well and positive,” he concluded.
2024-01-20 15:06:56
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