“Last year we were still very fast and he fell back, but he’s going in,” said the Barca coach of the attacker, who is not on Luis Enrique’s list for the last two commitments of the League of Nations.
Ansu Fati’s situation was the focus of much of the press conference hosted by Xavi Hernández, a day before Barça faced Elche at the Camp Nou. After Luis Enrique left the Barca gem off the Spanish squad’s list for the last two League of Nations matches, Egar’s coach tried to shed some light on the attacker’s status. “It’s okay. We make a plan with great caution. These sensations I had cost a bit, but we are doing well. In San Sebastian he made the difference and he will continue. He must be an important footballer for us. You have to increase the pace, but little by little. It’s a difficult situation to manage because he hasn’t played for a long time and the rhythm and intensity require time, but also caution and prudence,” said the Barça coach. “At Barcelona I decided it’s a matter of caution and prudence. Last year we were still very fast and he fell back, but he’s going in. I like it and it motivates me that he’s in eleven. It’s not mental matter,” influenced the one from Tarrasa.
Xavi pointed out that he maintains a smooth dialogue with Ansu Fati and that the youth team understands the times used by the coach. “He’s taking it well. I spoke to him seven or eight days ago. I told him where we were and let him talk. I have regular meetings with the players. We are very close to everyone, but especially to Ansu because he is a special case. The forgotten injury is one hundred percent and it depends on how we see it and the competition it has,” he explained.
Xavi takes on Elche with his guard. “We expect a rival like Cádiz. He complicated us last season with the same coach. He has emergencies, he’s on the table, he’s very physical… We don’t know the system because it’s very versatile. It has very strong points, sides that have been processed… Last year it made us complicated. It’s three crucial points, we play at home and after the loss in Munich we want to have the same sensations, but with a win,” said the Barca coach.
The Catalans return to competition after their first defeat of the season against Bayern in the Champions League on Tuesday. A setback that hurt at Can Barça, but that doesn’t change Xavi’s roadmap. “I’m still the same because when you see the game we’re playing you have to win it. It’s a shame. What we did was take the three points. We lacked effectiveness and compete better. It’s details, but football has these things. You have to learn it, but the feeling is very good. The anger is important, but the football continues. Victories and defeats last 24 hours,” he explained.
He celebrated the renewal of Gavi, who will continue to wear the azulgrana until 2026 after months of negotiations between the club and its representative, former culé footballer Iván de la Peña. “It’s great news, the most important of the week. Player of the present, future. He is a leader despite his age. It has character, passion. It is a heart with legs. He has intensity, he can play the way you want, in different positions. He has matured, he understands the time very well, he plays more fluidly,” he said of the Sevillian.
Finally, he didn’t want to get confused about the controversy that has been sparked in recent days by the way Vinicius celebrates his goals. “Everyone celebrates things the way they want. When you score, you’re euphoric and everyone comes out the way they do. I always celebrated with my teammates because I see football as teamwork. Let everyone celebrate as they please, but without being disrespectful,” he stopped.
Source: La Verdad
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