Xavi spoke about today’s crucial game against Inter, Frenkie de Jong, Lewandowski, Inter’s low block, Kounde’s availability against Real Madrid, fans booing Alba and Ferran, and the importance of fans in his pre-match press conference.
Xavi on the game plan against Inter:
“We expect Inter to play very similar to how they played in Milan. They have a low block, but we have alternatives. We are ready, we have to look like the Barça of the last 20 minutes in Milan. It’s a final for us.”
“We must not let our guard down. There is talent, and there is a desire for revenge, so we have to give everything to win tomorrow.”
Xavi on the importance of the game:
“Tomorrow’s game is crucial, we haven’t done our homework and now we have a chance to pull ourselves together in the group. We’re in an uncomfortable situation but we’ll give it all.”
“When they make a mistake with the ball. They will have to attack at some point. They lose the ball, and we have to be more aggressive with the ball.”
Xavi on his approach against Inter:
“We need to attack better. I think in the first half we didn’t understand the role of Marcos Alonso and Raphinha. We have to be more vertical, more aggressive.”
“We have a very clear way of attacking so that we feel comfortable. If they change their system, it doesn’t matter much to us. We have a clear idea to go out and win tomorrow.”
Xavi on the psychological approach:
“Being positive, of course there is pressure and difficulties but we are going to face them with courage and personality, we have no other choice. I try to make the players see it as a final.”
Xavi on the importance of fans at Camp Nou:
“Since I’ve been coach they’ve given us some good moments, Camp Nou has to be on fire tomorrow and we’re going to give our all to win the three points. We need the fans.”
Xavi on Kounde’s availability:
“We’re not counting on him for the match against Inter, barring any surprises… For El Clásico we’ll see, he could be available but it will depend on his sensations. He is training hard. My feeling is that he will be available for El Clasico.”
Xavi on the 2nd half against Celta:
“I think we lowered our intensity and Celta are capable of stealing your personality. Tomorrow we have to press high and not lower the intensity. For me, playing well means having the ball, and attacking, but I understand other methodologies. That’s why I wasn’t satisfied against Celta.”
“We have to improve that. We found ourselves with individual marking and it was difficult for us to make those connections. We have to attack more from the second line.”
Xavi on being optimistic against Inter:
“Tomorrow we have to be calm, and know how to position ourselves, we don’t need to score in the first minute. I always tell the players that the pressure is on me. We have to be patient, but if we attack as we did in the second half in Milan, I’m optimistic.”
“It would be a big disappointment if we lose but let’s think positive. We want to stay alive. We are in an uncomfortable situation but tomorrow we have a final to try to fix it.”
Xavi on the role Referees:
“We had logical indignation but now we think about football. We are not at the level we were a few weeks ago. If we improve our level, maybe we won’t have to talk about referees.”
Xavi on Lewandowski:
“How will Lewandowski play tomorrow? It’s not Lewy’s day, it’s the team’s day. He has to be important but not just tomorrow, every game. We have to take a step forward with Lewy. We have to play more with him so that he feels more comfortable. We haven’t played much with him in the last few games.”
Xavi on fans booing Jodi Alba and Ferran Torres:
“Jordi Alba and Ferran Torres being booed by the fans? We try to get the fans to help us, to be positive, I don’t think about anything else. I’m thinking that things will go well. I want them to be proud of the team.”
Xavi on Frenkie de Jong:
“Frenkie de Jong is fine, he’s coming off a small injury, we’ll see if he’s ready to start tomorrow.”
That concluded Xavi’s press conference.
