The UEFA Champions League group stage matches conclude tonight for FC Barcelona as they play against the Belgian side Royal Antwerp.
Xavi’s men have already advanced to the knock-out rounds of the tournament, and Royal Antwerp are not going to finish above the fourth spot in this group, so this match would not mean much for either side.
Still, Barcelona will be looking to get a victory, especially as every match won in the Champions League means extra revenue for the club, and the Catalans need to earn as much money as possible in their strained financial situation.
This match will also provide Xavi with an opportunity to play fringe players and youngsters to keep them competitive ahead of the business end of the season.
Xavi has undertaken the customary press conference ahead of this match, in which he has talked about how his coaching staff is adapting to Barcelona, criticism in the media, late call for some senior players, and his former teammate Marco Van Bommel.
The Barcelona head coach also gave some hints on his possible team taking to the pitch tomorrow:
Xavi started his press conference on how his staff is reacting to the difficult times and adapting to the demands of a club as big as Barcelona:
“With the staff, we try to focus on what we can control, training the players with maximum demand every day. I told my staff back in Qatar when Laporta called me to prepare because there would be criticism at some point, and they’ve adapted. In the staff, we’re all lifelong Barça fans, and we know the demands of the club.”
The Barcelona head coach reassured that things were normal at the club despite the criticism in the media after the loss to Girona:
“Externally, there are surely criticisms, which is normal after losing to Girona, but internally, we’re upset because we’re losing despite doing many things to win. It’s similar to what happened against Real Madrid; we played better but didn’t control both penalty areas.”
“We lacked assertiveness and efficiency. Now, it’s time to react because even though we’ve already fulfilled our duties in the Champions League, this upcoming match is important.”
Xavi also clarified his previous comments about the team being a project “under construction”:
“When I say ‘under construction,’ it’s because we have to improve things. We have new players, young players, coming from the Europa League, but with the utmost demand to win. I mean being consistent to achieve goals.”
“I’m not saying it needs time; I’m saying we need to play better. A month and a half ago, I said I believe we’re halfway to building a great Barça. If last year we hadn’t won the league and Super Cup, maybe I wouldn’t be here. Winning, you always have to win.”
Several players like Lewandowski, Araujo, and Gundogan were called up for the flight to Belgium despite them not being named in the squad earlier. Xavi commented on this late change:
“It’s good that people are involved. Lewandowski, Araujo, and Gündogan came in at the end because eventually, we were spending the night in Antwerp. The plan changed, and it’s also good for team bonding.”
“We decided it as a club, with the president, Deco, players, coaches… The itinerary changed, a night in Antwerp, and that’s why we changed the list.”
The head coach was also asked whether he would give chances to the youngsters in this match, to which he replied:
“We’ll decide tomorrow, but being already qualified, it’s a good time for younger players to play or for those who have had fewer chances recently to participate. It’s normal and logical for us to make changes.”
Xavi also hinted that players with some fatigue will be given a rest tomorrow:
“Will Lewandowski, Gündogan, and Araujo rest? The idea is to make changes, to give rest to those with muscle fatigue. They have some. We’ll see. We’ll decide tomorrow.”
Xavi also praised the work of Van Bommel, one of his former teammates, who is currently managing Royal Antwerp:
“Van Bommel understands me, he has empathy… I have a very good relationship with him, he has the capacity and leadership to achieve great things, and he’s doing a great job. He leaves his mark with a style of associative play.”
“He’s a very good coach and will be so in the future. He got a difficult group, with Barça, Porto, and an unknown but very complicated rival like Shakhtar.”
The Barcelona head-coach concluded the press conference with an analysis of the loss against Girona:
“For me, there were very clear opportunities against Girona, not 31, but rather six or seven. It’s not about failing to close games, it didn’t happen against Madrid.”
“We’ve suffered in some matches that we’ve won due to not closing them. And against Girona, we even had the chance for 3-3 at the end. We need to improve effectiveness and defensive assertiveness.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
