“Winning is hitting the table”

Facing Xavi Hernández, year and a half later to take the reins of the FC Barcelona bench, his first Clásico at home. Relatively calm given the nine-point advantage in the table, he knows the value of a victory, even without taking anything for granted. “If it ever wins a blow on the table: it is not a certain blow but it will be strong for us”. He said that “I expect Madrid’s attack” and explained that “we prepared the game to dominate”, although in the first leg of the Cup at the Bernabéu it was not possible.

The coach of Barcelona insisted that “they will try to dominate, they’ve done it in the Cup, but we didn’t plan the game to dominate, like it happened to us at the Bernabéu. We want the ball, dominate”. And, though”I’d rather win 4-0 or 5-4”claimed the value of the points won by the lowest: “What’s wrong with 1-0? It’s a fantastic result. Barcelona won the first European Cup, with a goal from Koeman, 1-0 and nothing happened “. He insisted that “we are usually very good, but people were left behind in one game, the semifinal.”

Regarding the Clásicos win, in the Super Cup and the Cup, pointed out that “I agree that we fought very well. On Super Cup day we compete with the ball and on Cup day, without the ball. If we do both things well, so much the better. We will try to compete and have control of the ball, without the ball I struggle a lot”.

Wait”a Madrid that is perhaps more offensive. It will be good for them, for us maybe not so much.” And he clarified that “we will not change our style: we are proactive, we never close, we always push high, another is that they come out of that pressure and dominated our field. “

Despite the absence of the canary, Xavi believes that “we can master even Without Pedri, our goal is to be. He was just right, he’s not 100% and we don’t want to lose him in two months”. He reiterated that “the only game we were not dominant was the Bernabéu Cup and people stayed in that game.” He recalled that “they are very strong when they push you up top, they had the ball and dominated us.”

The public factor

He considers that, in terms of being a favorite, El Clásico “is at 50%, maybe less for us. We are playing at home, with our fans, who will hopefully push and support us” .And, before his first Clásico at home, “I am very motivatedThe Clásicos give me extra motivation and the scenario is very positive for us. We have a lot to win, we are playing at home in front of our fans and we are excited, but you never know. The first Clásico at home I am especially excited”.

He doesn’t want to come in to discuss the campaign of destabilization that Laporta denounced, although he did slip that “of course I subscribed to what he said. He is the boss, the leader, we have talked a lot, but I don’t want to talk about anything except the party. We have to be mentally strong and compete, focused on the game”. Of course, it is very clear: “they cannot destroy us, we are very strong.”

About Araujo, explained that “to stop Vinicius is strong, physically fast, he feels where the opponent cannot be marked, he is a physical marvel, he is responsible, he is a leader, world-class, currently one of the best defenders in the world “. He concluded that “having Ronald is an advantage, but Vinicius is a player who makes a difference, I love him, it’s not just Ronald, the whole team collectively must concentrate.”

and about of Uruguayan evolution on the ball he pointed out that “the improvement is mainly due to the video, that he sees himself. He has worked on many things for us and he has improved, he has a lot of room for improvement, a huge promise and desire to improve”.

(+) Watch Xavi’s full press conference before the Clásico

He also praised the “humanity” of Raphinha, who “helped us a lot in goals and assists and it hasn’t been easy for him. If he does not go to the national team, in a Barça key, even better. He has accepted, he is mentally strong. And he defended Gavi again: “Now I haven’t heard from him for days, but what’s his name? Butcher?… I know the house very wellI know where those things come from. We have to focus on football, like him. It’s always bad.”