The coach of FC Barcelona, It is “vital to put a little more pressure on Real Madrid” for LaLiga.
“Barça is the highest level in the world of football, and the Spanish team is a great team. Lamine and Pau must have the challenge of remaining in elite football for many years, they have all the capabilities to do so. We have arrived. many, but the difficult thing is to stay. They have everything to match: the mentality, the ability and the footballing conditions. We are facing two footballers who can mark an era in the club and in world football,” he declared at a press conference.
In this sense, he was happy with the ovation that the Santiago Bernabéu public gave to Lamine Yamal during his change in Spain-Brazil. “I see Lamine very calm. He is digesting everything that is happening to him very well despite his very young age. He is a mature person, very responsible, he is very aware of his situation. He has a lot of humility, he is showing that he is a player different and that can mark an era in football worldwide,” he stressed.
Regarding the rest of the players, he assured that they are all “fine” and that only the Danish Andreas Christensen is “injured”, ensuring that the blow to the knee of German goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen was just “a scare.” In addition, he acknowledged that Ilkay Gündogan will most likely play despite the accumulated minutes. “His season is excellent, there are the numbers. There are also innumerable things like the pause, the calm, the tempo… He is a differential and basic footballer for the team. Tomorrow is not the ideal day to rest, and even more so when “We have 10 days to prepare the next one. Most likely, I will participate,” he revealed.
The Catalan coach also highlighted the work of Polish forward Robert Lewandowski. “Robert is a natural leader. He has helped us a lot since the first day he arrived, he works with a lot of humility. He is a tremendous footballer and I think he is in a good moment of form. Today I told him that the one at the Metropolitano was one of his best matches with Barça. It is vital for our interests,” he stated.
“WINNING IS VITAL TO PUT PRESSURE ON REAL MADRID”
Regarding Las Palmas, Xavi explained that they are a rival that plays football very well. “They don’t throw the ball, they always want to play, they have a lot of personality. Pimienta works very well, she has a style very similar to the one we have at Can Barça. They are well-endowed footballers, they will be a difficult opponent. We have to be protagonists with the ball. “They will come here with little to lose and a lot to prove,” he said.
“We have come this far with two titles at stake. In the last few games we competed excellently and I hope we can continue with this positive dynamic. It is a home game, we need the fans, and it is very important to continue fighting for LaLiga,” added the Barcelona coach.
Regarding whether he is concerned about the distance between tomorrow’s game and the one in Paris against PSG, he was clear. “I’m worried about the fact that they come back from the break and have to get back into ‘club mode’. That worries me more than the Paris Saint-Germain game. Winning tomorrow is vital to put a little more pressure on Real Madrid” , he claimed.
In another vein, he reiterated that his idea is to leave the club as soon as the season ends. “I already told them that we are very grateful, to Deco and the president. There is trust, a relationship of friendship. Nothing changes; I think about the best for the club, but I will always be grateful,” he expressed.
Finally, Xavi confirmed that he has denounced journalists Manuel Jabois and Javier Miguel for attacking his honor. “It has never happened to me. I understand the criticism, I understand where I am, but to a certain extent. What I will not tolerate is lies and the invention of things. It is time to say enough is enough, because they are very big lies. Now “It’s fine,” he concluded.