Xavi spoke about the importance of El Clasico, Jules Koundes’s situation, the criticism of club veterans, his project, the role of Busquets, and, the mentality of the team in his pre-match press conference ahead of El Clasico.
Xavi on El Clasico’s importance:
“El Clásico is a game of 3 points. It’s also an important match to get a morale boost. Last season, winning El Clasico gave us a good morale boost, and this is what we will work on this season as well by winning the match.”
Xavi on the importance of mentality to win:
“You could say that we needed more physical strength in the Inter match but the truth is, we needed to be stronger mentally. It is true that we want more physical strength, but we have to improve mentally.”
“I focus on raising the morale of the players and tactics. You could say we count on both. In the Inter match, we were good but it is unfortunate what happened.”
Xavi on being League Leaders:
“We were in a bad state when we reached Clásico last year. Today we have arrived at the Clásico and are at the top. Our goal is to win the Clasico and to play the way we believe in. Pressure and attack with intensity.”
Xavi on being Braver:
“Inter match is a good reference for us to be braver and prevent rebounds. We have to learn and be more competitive in games. We are playing better in the league. Tomorrow is going to be a tough match, and we have to work on winning it.”
“The team believes in itself. I see the team as committed, motivated and brave. We will fight to the end. I think if we fought last season like we do today, things would have been different last season in Europe.”
Xavi on his project:
“I still insist that we are still on the right track. We scored 20 goals in the league and conceded only one. We are better than we used to be. It is true that we have to improve in Europe, but that is the case with every newly started project.”
Xavi on Jules Kounde’s situation:
“Kounde is 100% READY. He is training well and ready for tomorrow’s game.”
Xavi on the role of Sergio Busquets:
“Busquets is an important player for us. The last game had problems in the second half, but he is our leader, and he is a Barcelona player. Every player on the team has to be ready to play.”
Xavi on Criticism against the captains:
“I do try to hear out all the criticism. However, I focus on the work. We don’t have to lose or draw in matches like the ones that happened, but we have to keep working on winning tomorrow.”
“We’ll see what happens. I see that everyone is focused on only the leaders. In the end, we are a team and a group. We have 5 substitutions as well tomorrow, everyone has to be ready.”
Xavi on playing against Real Madrid:
“I love playing against Real Madrid. I’m competitive, and I always love to play matches like this. In LaLiga we are playing well, and we have to remain optimistic.”
Xavi on the game plan against Madrid:
“We want to attack as one block, positionally. We want to press them in their half but we also have to see the characteristics of our players and not take hurried decisions.”
Xavi on the role of Marcos Alonso:
“Alonso as a CB with Eric? Anything is possible. Alonso has played as a central defender before but we will decide on that tomorrow. It has nothing to do with only Vinicius, but with Benzema, Kroos, and the rest of the players as well. They have a strong team.”
Xavi on his preparation for EL Classico:
“I always try to stay optimistic and strive to develop the team in all aspects. Regarding the results, it is unfortunate that in matches like Inter and Bayern we play well, but we did not get the result we wanted.“
“El Clásico is a great opportunity for us, and we want to continue our lead. This is a huge challenge and the competition in the League is different. If we stay positive I think things will be fine.”
Xavi on leaving:
“I’m a Barcelona fan, and I want the best for the club. If I feel I can no longer do anything to help, I will go home but for now, that’s fine.”
Xavi on the Laporta:
“There is still a lot left of the season. The president continues to be optimistic, he is always positive and helps us. What happened against Inter was unfortunate, same in Munich and Milano as well. However, we have to continue on our path.”
Xavi on taking long-range shots:
“We have to improve in terms of shooting. Alonso, Raphinha, and Dembele can all shoot from afar. Tomorrow we can try to do that.”
Xavi on enjoying Clasico as a player:
“Obviously I would have enjoyed El Clasico more as a player than as a coach. As a player, I can do things myself with the ball but now, I have a responsibility to my players, and I have to bring them to the match prepared.”
