Xavi talks about Pedri’s performance, Dembele’s injury, overall performance against Girona, not winning matches with comfortable score-line, and lacking the confidence to deliver the final ball in his post-match press conference after the 1-0 win against Girona.
Xavi on the overall performance against Girona:
“I am satisfied with the complicated victory, but we must be self-critical. We didn’t create as many chances as we normally do, but we felt comfortable with the ball.”
Xavi on not being able to deliver the final pass:
“We lack daring. We make the right pass but not the definitive one. We had control, which Girona gave us, but we had to get out of the script and we didn’t do that until the end of the match.”
Xavi on being more calmer in the final third:
“We need to develop the confidence to do more things in attack. We created many chances with our high pressing, but we didn’t do well in attack. We have to be calmer in their half of the pitch.”
Xavi on Dembele’s injury:
“It’s a shame because he is a differential player for us. We’ll have to see the results of the tests, but he felt something. We hope it’s not serious, but he felt something in his quadriceps.”
Xavi on the improvement so far:
“We’ve made a big change since the last season. We have to improve a lot of things, but I’m very happy with where we came from.”
Xavi on Eric Garcia’s performance:
“I think Eric García played a great game, especially in the second half. I have a lot of confidence in him and I have said it many times.”
Xavi on signing a new forward:
“No, we do not lack forwards. Now Lewandowski and Ferran are back. There are options, we don’t need any new players.”
Xavi on winning with a comfortable margin:
“I also want to win 4-0 every day, but there is a rival playing against us. I think we are in a good moment.”
Xavi on Pedri’s brilliant performance:
“Pedri is a differential in the game, because of what he generates; his final passes and if he adds goals, we are already talking about one of the best in his position at the age of 20. He has to contribute even more, to dare a little more, but I am very happy for him.”
Xavi on Ansu Fati:
“Ansu can play as a 9 but it is not his natural position, Lewandowski is always missed, fortunately, we have won the three games without him, but he must come back now… we miss him because Robert is a differential player.”
Xavi on what has changed since his arrival:
“The thing that has changed the most this season is the confidence of the players. Last season, when I arrived, their confidence was on the ground.”
That concluded Xavi’s post-match press conference.
