The latest outing against Real Betis saw FC Barcelona emerge as strong victors in the La Liga clash. Despite the obvious charm and fortitude of the Benito Villamarin, it was the Catalans who managed to take away all three points.
While Betis will understandably be disappointed with the result, Barcelona can bask in the success of what they have managed to accomplish. However, this victory certainly did not come without its fair share of troublesome moments for Barcelona.
Even once the Catalan giants had taken a convincing 2-0 lead, Betis did not back down and brought the scores to be level again. It was only afterward that Xavi’s Barcelona managed to prove their mettle and make the turnaround that they needed so urgently.
However, as Mundo Deportivo highlights, the Barcelona head coach did feel his side’s momentum shake after the game was leveled. Yet, he also acknowledged what this victory means and just how crucial Ferran Torres was to it as well:
“We got a bit tense with Betis’ equalizer, and from there, we regained control. We should have sealed the game earlier. We took an important step in a stadium where no one had won, with young and personality-filled players. It wasn’t a perfect game, but the Culés deserved this with four goals, three from Ferran.”
On the other hand, the Barcelona coach is not completely convinced. He believed that while Barça played a very controlled game and insisted on being dominant, they still have to figure things out:
“We were very good. The game was under control, excellent with the ball, and even in losing possession. It got complicated due to a specific play where there was a lack of understanding between Iñaki Peña and Araujo.”
No other team has managed to beat Betis at the Villamarin this season, and Barcelona now become the first. For Xavi, the hope remains that this game could potentially become a turning point for his team:
“We were due for a game like this. We were suffering, but today we enjoyed on the field. Hopefully, it serves us to make that click. Today could be a great day.”
Directly his praise back towards Ferran Torres, Xavi further complimented the influence of the 23-year-old Spanish forward. He made sure to highlight the Spaniard’s mental strength as well:
“He turned the situation around on his own. He sent me a spectacular message in the summer, telling me that he would succeed at Barcelona. He has great mental strength, one of the most I’ve seen in my career, and he has earned it.”
Pau Cubarsi, aged just 16, was also a great topic of discussion for Xavi. However, the coach is clear about the potential and quality of the young central defender:
“Cubarsí is very capable. He doesn’t seem to be 16; he is very responsible and focused. He hasn’t lost a single ball. He is destined to make a mark in the footballing world. Like Lamine Yamal. Both are very talented players with great maturity. They represent the past and present of the club.”
Asked about the change he made taking off Robert Lewandowski and bringing in Vitor Roque, Xavi’s answer was pretty straightforward:
“Lewandowski’s change? I think about what the team needs at that moment. We needed our 9 to ‘attack’ the space, and that’s what Roque is best at. Change is what I thought was best to win.”
Lastly, during the post-match press conference, Xavi was also asked to comment on the controversial Real Madrid game. As several VAR decisions went against Almeria, a lot of controversy has started to stir up involving the game. Xavi’s answer, however, was also to the point:
“I stick with a reflection from Garitano (Almería’s coach) and Alfredo Relaño, a very good journalist. It’s going to be very difficult to win this league. I already said it in Getafe. I saw things that didn’t add up. We have to keep winning, but there are things we don’t control. Everyone saw it today.”
“I remember the penalty against Getafe, the blatant one on Raphinha, and the goal against Granada. We would already have six more points. These are not excuses; these are realities. These are situations in the 94th minute that go against us, but we have to keep working. This is the path.”
