Xavi appeared optimistic, as always, in the Champions League preview. Although the classic is approaching. There are five days left and the coach has six out due to injury. Neither Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha or Lewandowski still train with the group. Neither Koundé nor Sergi Roberto, definitely ruled out to receive Real Madrid on Saturday. This Wednesday Montjuïc will experience the rehearsal prior to the classic against Shakhtar and Xavi hopes that, with a list with 12 players from the first team, eight from the reserve team and without Gavi, who is suspended, Barça will focus all its efforts on achieving three vital points towards classification to eighths. “The injured are not at 100% and that is why they are not on the squad list. I am still optimistic that someone may arrive for Saturday but it is the feelings that rule,” said a cautious Xavi.
The focus of the injuries is placed above all on the figure of Pedri, who on October 24 celebrates two months of injury. “We have to avoid relapses and that on a mental level is difficult for the player and that is why we are going with lead feet,” said Xavi. A few minutes before, striker Ferran Torres, a great friend of the Canarian, appeared. “I help Pedri in everything I can. The priority is for him to return well like the rest of the injured players. We don’t have to take risks. I’m sure he will be with us soon,” he predicted without clarifying whether Pedri will be able to play in the classic.
Real Madrid’s visit to Montjuïc on Saturday comes conditioned by the referee controversy. “I don’t like that the refereeing team is conditioned. They make mistakes, but we have to help them. I believe a lot in their honesty and we don’t have to put pressure on them,” said Xavi when asked about Real Madrid’s television analysis. However, he did agree with Ancelotti who, after the match against Sevilla, used irony to refer to the performance of referee De Burgos Bengoetxea. “Ancelotti is right that if we talk about the referees we could receive a sanction. Therefore, we have to be careful with the vocabulary. What I don’t think is that we should put pressure on them, but I think talking is possible, if a play is penalty or not,” he specified. And he delved a little deeper into the question. “Complaints don’t go anywhere. But they come out naturally. It happened to me in Getafe because you feel like they’ve wronged you. We’re human and we complain. This is football. I think it would be good for them to talk. I’ve already said it many times. times,” he insisted.
Before focusing on talking exclusively about the Champions League and Shakthar, Xavi sent one last message. Rowing in favor of Barcelona and Real Madrid resuming the good relations prior to the outbreak of the Negreira case and celebrating the traditional board lunch again. “I like that there is respect between the clubs. Healthy rivalry and respect and even admiration. There is no need to generate tension,” he asked.
And then the Champions League. The coach ensures that no one deviates from game to game. The classic will come later. “You don’t have to isolate anyone. You have to have good feelings and do nine out of nine. The same competition leads you to plug in and compete,” he said. “I insist, it is a transcendental match. The three points are key. We must pass. Shaktar is a difficult, dynamic rival, without fear and they play with joy. They can give us problems. The players know it and it will not be easy. We will have the to lose. It won’t be easy,” he reiterated.
To receive Shakhtar, Xavi will not experiment. “This is not the time for tests or strange things, but rather for being practical and showing our game model. There are many injured and Gavi will not be there tomorrow either, suspended. But there is no need to complain, we have to compete to win the three points.” .
Delving into the absence of Gavi, sanctioned, Xavi once again claimed his presence and his character. “Runrún with its future in summer? You generate it, I always said it was essential. But that is inevitable. From here on, it is contributing a lot to us with and without the ball. It will be missed, especially against a rival from a lot of physical and technical level,” he said.
Finally he dedicated a few words to Shakhtar. “They have a situation beyond football, for them it is very difficult many days away from home and away from their families. Now they have Darijo Srna as coach, I know and admire him,” he noted. And he dedicated some nice words to Chigrinski. “I have very good memories of him, of Chigrinski. As a person, extraordinary; as a player, he had the bad luck of adaptation, it was difficult for him,” he recalled.
Xavi’s list is completed by eight players from the reserve team. Among them Marc Guiu, who debuted with a goal against Athletic Club. “They are humble. That is fundamental in life and in sport. Marc has trained hard, Lamine the same and Fermín and those who come up. I don’t see a problem in management on a human level. But we must make a mix. It is not good to put to all debutants at once,” he prescribed. Even so, he stressed that “in the best Barça in history there has always been a lot of presence from the youth team. Today there are 12 in the squad. It is a source of pride,” he stated.
Among those mentioned are 12 players from the first team and 8 from the subsidiary: Ter Stegen, João Cancelo, Balde, Ronald Araujo, Iñigo Martínez, Ferran Torres, Iñaki Peña, João Félix, Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Oriol Romeu, Gündo?an, Astralaga, Lamine Yamal, Marc Casadó, Fermín López, Cubarsí, Aleix Garrido, Marc Guiu and Héctor Fort.
The registrations of Héctor Fort and Marc Guiu in List B of the Champions League were officially closed this Tuesday morning.
Finally, he dedicated a few words to Ferran Torres, who is having a great time. The best since he arrived in Barcelona in January 2021. Second scorer behind Lewandowski, he has three goals in the League and one in the Champions League. “The striker lives from the goal. He gives you confidence. And Ferran now plays relaxed, he has won trust”.
“The truth is, yes. I feel very confident. I’m taking advantage of the opportunity. I want to help the team. It doesn’t matter if I’m a starter or a substitute. I’m prepared for whatever comes,” Ferran explained.
The Foios striker also delved into the origin of the nickname he has adopted: The shark. “The shark came out in the same direction as my mentality. For people who are going through bad times, it can be an important message,” he said. And he explained the keys to his improvement. “The additions and the competition help you. Starting the season from the beginning has also helped me,” he said.
Asked about the classic, Ferran Torres has absorbed Xavi’s message. “You can’t focus on the next game. You have to focus on the Champions League. We must get the three points and be closer to qualifying. Then, Madrid. Winning tomorrow means gaining sensations, but if we lose it wouldn’t affect the classic,” he warned.
