Chameleon and intelligent. The Blaugrana Patri Guijarro (1998) is the complete midfielder and she has shown it this year, forced to convert from pivot to interior due to the absence of Alexia Putellas. With this quiet leadership he has carried out this difficult task with solvency. Attend La Vanguardia after training for the most frenetic week of the year, which will end on Saturday with the Champions League final. Interviews with the press, advertising commitments… A life that has nothing to do with that of that footballer who landed at La Masia at the age of 17.
Is it hard to adapt to this new reality?
I’ve told Alexia many times that she doesn’t envy me [laughs] I don’t mind having to go somewhere in the afternoon because I’ve generally felt comfortable, although it’s difficult because we’re not used to such a load , especially when there are important appointments like this week, but I think I managed to handle it well.
Did you need help?
Yes, this is the first year I’ve been seeing a psychologist because there comes a point where you need it. The change has been brutal, outside of football we have many things and also in the sporting field it has helped me to reach the best possible mentally.
This year he had the difficult challenge of replacing Alexia. How did Giráldez approach it?
It was during the preseason. We hadn’t signed Keira yet and Jonaem said that depending on whether someone came or not, it might be up to me to cover that position. I thought: “Well, I’m going from central to interior in less than two years!” But I tried to adapt and I think I succeeded. In the end it’s more resources that I take with me.
Has it been difficult?
I actually enjoyed it, although it was a bit difficult at first. But over the months we adapted the position very well and from Christmas we had a much more fluid game.
Did you feel pressure to replace the best in the world?
The truth is, no, because they know I’m Patri. They knew I was going to give 200%. It’s not my natural position and I obviously needed an adjustment. At first I asked for videos of Alexia, she is very smart in all her movements and I wanted to learn from this.
Has his absence given them more tools as a team?
Obviously we want Alexia on the field, but now we have another system that Barça can bet on. We are not so predictable anymore.
How does Alexia see?
Very well, looking forward to it. What I highlight the most is that she is not afraid, it is a tough injury and the fact that she is already entering the opponent naturally, without fear, reassures us and her. I am glad because this greatly reduces the risk of relapse.
How does the team reach the final?
Last year, shortly after the first game against Wolfsburg, we noticed a decline. We didn’t feel the same spark. This year the planning has been different, we want to reach the end with the same physique, but with more freshness.
And mentally?
We have changed a lot the way we approach the games we start losing. It seemed like when we conceded we couldn’t come back. This year we’ve managed to make it not such a big drop when they score a goal, but we continue the same and even put in another gear to turn it around. We are a mentally stronger team.
What did they learn from the defeat in Turin?
Those two early goals killed us. We need to start the game more seriously, in another context it might not have happened, but it happened and we need to learn from it. Can’t disconnect even for a minute. You have to go from minute zero to 200% and concentrate to the maximum.
Do you think Wolfsburg’s counter-attacks are their worst danger?
It’s a very strong team that will obviously play to their strengths, which are a bit of our weaknesses. Although against Chelsea I think we worked very well and it can serve as an example for us. But Wolfsburg, in addition, have very good weapons in set-piece actions with which they can get in front.
Can you see the second one rising?
Hopefully. Dreaming yes, but I don’t want to bring bad luck.
What would this mean for Barça?
Already the first was brutal and meant a change in Spain. If we hadn’t won that Champions League, go and find out if they would have professionalized the League this year. A second Champions League would be a knock on the table to show that it wasn’t a coincidence and encourage the teams to really bet like Barça is doing.
What is the balance of the first year of the professional league?
It’s been very turbulent, we haven’t stopped having conflicts every year, but we have to keep fighting because we want a League that doesn’t just call itself professional, but really is, that our teammates have a decent salary, a complete staff and all resources
As a Barça player, do you feel more responsible?
We are aware that we have a lot of power and we want to use this visibility that we have. The more clubs approach us, the more competitive the League will be. We will always fight for our comrades.
A struggle that also leads to the national team…
It has been a complicated year. It wasn’t easy at the beginning because everyone wants to play with their team, but it’s a fight that we won’t stop. We are internally trying to solve it and hopefully something will be fixed, especially for the future, because everything is done for the upcoming players.
