Xavi talks about Guard of Honour for Real Betis, Ter Stagen’s availability, Ansu Fati’s fitness, Real Madrid’s comeback, Barca’s model of playing football, objectives for the next season, Pique’s injury, and Gavi’s renewal in his pre-match press conference ahead of Barca vs Real Betis.
Xavi on Real Betis:
“Betis is a direct rival. We have a great opportunity tomorrow and we have to meet the club’s minimum objectives. They are a great rival, with a great coach, but we have to compete well to secure the Champions League.”
“The Cup title has given Betis a lot of confidence. We have to congratulate the club, their coach and their players. They are even in contention for Champions League spots currently.”
Xavi on Ter Stagen’s availability for tomorrow’s match:
“We will assess Ter Stegen today. He wants to play but today he didn’t feel good and eventually did not train.”
Xavi on Gerad Pique’s fitness:
“Tomorrow Pique won’t be available. It’s a shame because he was contributing a lot to us. We’ll see how he evolves so that he can play the next few games.”
Xavi on Real Madrid’s comebacks in UCL:
We give value to that 0-4 win against Real Madrid. It was only 3 points but the difference between us and the teams that Madrid eliminated is that when we had the opportunity to finish them off we did it. History tells of their comebacks and has seen.”
“Real Madrid are the League champions and Champions League finalists. That says it all and it also speaks for the merit we had against them.”
Xavi on the objectives for this season:
“Our objective is not complete yet. It is to get into the Champions League and if it can be then through the second place. From there we will see the future, talking with the sports management, seeing the economic situation and everything else.”
Xavi on starting Ansu Fati against Real Betis:
“Ansu has trained very well. Physically he is ready but we are going to proceed with caution. Tomorrow we will decide but the idea is that he will enter gradually.”
Xavi on Barca’s model:
“Since November we have improved a lot. The message of Barca’s history is clear. It would take us years to get used to winning in another way. I am adamant that with this game model we have won 5 Champions Leagues and worldwide recognition. This is our Barca.”
“People do not only remember that Barça won, but also how they won. At Barca, there is only one way of playing football.”
Xavi on Barca’s next season’s objectives:
“We have to be honest. Barça and Madrid are antagonists but that shouldn’t make us forget what we have now. We’re in these circumstances, with the minimum objective of entering the Champions League. Next year we do have to think of winning titles.”
Xavi on giving Guard of Honour to Real Betis:
“For us, it is a sign of showing respect. We have to show it to the fans and the children, tomorrow we will stand up for them, I also stood in front of Real Madrid and I have no problem with that.”
Xavi on sticking to the Barca’s way of playing football:
“We have won a lot of important games, almost all against the top-of-the-table teams. That has to make us insist on our idea.”
Xavi on Gavi’s renewal:
“Gavi is a very important player for us. He is a player for the present and for the future. It would be great news to close his renewal. I know that his will, and that of his representative, Ivan de la Pena, is the same as ours, that is to continue at Barca.”
That concluded Xavi’s pre-match press conference.
