Xavi spoke about the new formation, Barca’s squad depth, the roadmap for Ansu Fati, Balde’s performance, Lewandowski’s humility, Dembele’s professionalism, and Pedri’s masterclass in his post-match press conference.
Xavi on Barca’s squad depth:
“We have a very complete squad. Everyone is training well and ready when the team needs them. This is an unusual year with a busy calendar and we need the whole team. The important thing today is that you see everyone is ready to play and can make the difference, we have several matches left.”
“You win titles with a big squad, not with a set starting XI. We have 25 players, and all of them could start for every match. Then it’s my turn to take the decisions.”
Xavi on the pressure of winning every game:
“We know the pressure that is at Barca, we have improved since we arrived, but we have to continue with humility and hard work. Here every game is a test.”
Xavi on Balde’s performance:
“It never ceases to amaze that a guy of Baldé’s age plays as he’s doing. He’s going to give us a lot, his physical qualities are simply barbaric.”
“This is a very important win. They were defending very well but after the sending-off, the game changed, we always want to play better.”
Xavi on Perdi’s performance:
“Pedri is superlative. He understands the game, he hardly loses the ball, he makes passes. He has to be decisive, at 19 years old, he is very dominant in the game and transcendental for us.”
Xavi on the enthusiasm among the fans:
“There is the enthusiasm that can be felt in the people, in the stadium, on the streets. There are expectations and we have to continue working with humility, but the fact that 85,000 people have come shows that there is the enthusiasm with the team.”
Xavi on the roadmap for Ansu Fati:
“I see Ansu well. I spoke with him and he seems well and happy. Today he started well, with two good chances. I already said that we have a plan with him and that he will be very important for the team.”
Xavi on the internatioanl break:
“It helps us rest, we have a solid schedule until November 9th. It’s going to be difficult and complicated, we had a great start to the season, that’s a positive thing.”
Xavi on the formation he used today:
“We were looking forward to playing with a 3-4-3 formation in the offensive situations with Balde adding to the attack, when we understood the plan in the second half we enjoyed it, although the red card made things easier.”
“The defensive aspect is very important, we don’t receive many chances, everyone is focused, working, and pressing, and we recover a lot of balls in the opponent’s half.”
Xavi on Lewandowski’s personality:
“I was surprised by the human side of Lewandowski. Very humble and has a lot of commitment and hunger.”
Xavi on Dembele’s professionalism:
“Dembele has been a professional. He had slept very little today, I asked him how he was and he said he wanted to play. He always wants to play.”
That concluded Xavi’s post-match press conference.
