Xavi spoke about facing Real Madrid in the Cup, Arnau Martínez, contract registrations of Gavi and Araujo, his ideal starting XI, signing a new right-back, the best position of Araujo, Ansu Fati, and Pedri playing his 100th game for Barcelona in his pre-match press conference ahead of Barca vs Girona.
Xavi on the match against Girona:
“Girona are brave, aggressive in high pressure, it’s similar to what we play. Michel is one of the coaches I like the most, he’s a reference point. They can make life difficult for us. It will be a very tough match.”
Xavi on not being able to finish off the games after taking the lead:
“I’m worried about not finishing off games, but we are winning them, which is the important thing. We have to value the way we are playing this year compared to last year. We’re in great form and we’re at the top in La Liga.”
Xavi on his ideal starting XI:
“I’m not thinking of a typical eleven. We’ll probably make a few changes, there are a lot of games, suspensions, injuries, and four or five players about to be suspended for yellow cards, we need everyone, I’m very clear about that.”
Xavi on facing Real Madrid in Copa Del Rey:
“We’ll see. We’re not thinking about the final. We depend on the draw. Whoever we get, we’ll go for it.”
Xavi on this season’s objectives:
“We are in a good moment, except for the Champions League. We are well placed in the league, in the cup, and with a Super Cup title. We can have a great season.”
Xavi on Dembele’s continuity:
“For me he is important, he is different and fundamental. It’s hard to find such decisive players in one-on-one situations. The club know that. Since we’ve been here he’s been at an extraordinary level. I hope he stays here for many years.”
Xavi on the contract registrations of Gavi and Araujo:
“We are calm, that’s what Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff tell me. I don’t think it will affect them, the issue will be resolved without further ado. They are both calm, and confident to play for Barcelona and they are enjoying it.”
Xavi on Ferran Torres:
“Tomorrow he’s suspended. He is fine. Ferran always trains well. He never gives up. He is an example no matter how well or badly things go. He’s a guarantee because he gives his all. I have tremendous confidence in him. He lacks goals but he trains well.”
Xavi on Busquets’ future:
“We haven’t talked about his future, we did it a long time ago. He is one of the best pivots in history. He is fundamental for me, even if he is underrated. I hope he feels strong enough to continue but it’s up to him.”
Xavi on Araujo’s best position:
“For me, the ideal position of Ronald Araujo is right centre-back. He has grown a lot in terms of ball control. He’s much more confident, he feels strong. It’s not strange that he plays as a full-back.”
Xavi on not having a fixed starting XI:
“You will see that there is no starting eleven. Often the player who comes on in the 60th minute decides the game. The players have to understand that now there are five substitutions and everything can change. Nobody should feel like a starter or a substitute.”
“We have players with a great level, and this is a problem in order to choose a lineup, but this is a positive thing for the group.”
Xavi on Marcos Alonso:
“We are very happy with Marcos. He has adapted, he is reliable and proven. He has the maturity to play in many positions. He’s a signing of a high level and a very important player for the team.”
Xavi on Signing a new right-back:
“The squad is very well put together. Except for Bellerin, we don’t have a natural full-back but we have very good options.”
Xavi on Pedri playing his 100th game for Barcelona:
“He has a brutal present and future. And not only him. We have a generation of very young and very good players. Pedri is one of them, I have seen his talent in very few players. We have to make them feel loved.”
Xavi on Ter Stegen:
“I already said that he is among the three best in the world, if not the best. For Barcelona, because of how we play, he is the best. He always plays well with his feet.”
Xavi on Gavi:
“He is pure passion, he motivates, he is contagious, he has a personality at the age of 18 that is surprising. The soul he puts into everything is bestial.”
Xavi on Receiving criticism and praise:
“It’s great that they are now saying I’m the coach of the new era. There is no middle ground at Barcelona. It already happened to me as a player. That’s why I have an emotional balance.”
Xavi on the attacking options:
“We had six pure forwards and now we have five, but there are alternatives. Balde, Alba and Roberto can also play as wingers, like the midfielders. I’m happy with the squad, I don’t need any more.”
Xavi on Ansu Fati:
“He is comfortable close to the goal, but he can play with his back to the goal, one on one. He can play through the centre or on the wings.”
Xavi on Dembele’s fitness:
“We try to make sure he never gets injured. We do load control work and gym work. He has changed his mind and he is happy. He feels loved and happy and that’s important. I give him confidence. I’ve been delighted with him since the first day.”
Xavi on Arnau Martínez:
“Arnau Martínez is a very good full-back. Very gifted, strong in the duel, with a lot of personality. He’s very interesting.”
That concluded Xavi’s pre-match press conference ahead of Barca vs Girona.
