The cards revealed. To things by his name. Xavi Hernández did an exercise in sincerity before the press after the hard setback in the Super Cup against Real Madrid. The coach has opened himself wide and was clear regarding his future and the objectives that the club demands of him this season: winning titles. “I am here because the objectives have been met so far. The moment they are not met, I will go home,” he clarified.
In fact, Xavi went even further when he acknowledged that if “I hadn’t won the League last season, I wouldn’t be here anymore.” That is the reality and such is the pressure that the Egarense has on his shoulders.
The coach did not beat around the bush or put in hot water, but rather revealed that Barça cannot allow itself to be competitive. “You always have to find a way to compete. It will be hard and it already is. We are in one of the most difficult situations in the history of the club. It is what we all have to understand in the environment. I have encountered difficulties from the first day. The economic situation is difficult and yet we are competing. The objectives are intact. I think it is a time to have calm and unity,” he claimed.
Renewed in September until 2025, with the option of one more season, Xavi announced that at the end of the season he will not be a problem if no trophy is won. “I will never be a problem. The moment they tell me I’m a problem, I’m already gone. I am a culé and I am here to add. The day they tell me I don’t add, I’m going home. No problem”
That moment has not arrived. The players are with him, he assures. And the president also supports him. Joan Laporta approached to convey confidence in the project to the locker room. The president came down to encourage the squad and witnessed the training, except for the first 15 minutes when the media were present. “I already had contact on the plane and the message is one of unity. ‘Tots units fem força’, as the hymn says. “The president has given us faith and confidence in the coaches and the players.”
Xavi admits that he is the first to be disappointed when he loses to Madrid but he once again launched a positive speech. “At the moment, the first title has been lost. But I think we are much closer to success than defeat. We are on the path to success. This is my reality and my message of positivity.”
In a delicate moment for him, Pep Guardiola conveyed unconditional support to him at The Best gala. Xavi thanked him privately and publicly. “Thank Pep, for having already sent him a message, for his words of support and affection. “He knows the demands of this club,” he stated. According to the City coach, the players must take a step forward. Xavi preferred to appeal to unity. “It is time for everyone, for players and coach, to be together, as the anthem says.”
And he prescribed a clean slate to finish the course well. “We have to be encouraged, there are three titles left. Last year Madrid was in our situation and they managed to turn it around and managed to win a title, the Cup,” he recalled.
Starting with this Thursday in the Unionistas field in the Cup. In the call it is noted that the match has an unusual significance for a team like Barça. The coach takes all the stars to Salamanca, including Lewandowski (who already scored in Barbastro), De Jong, Pedri and Gündogan. The only ones who do not travel are Araújo and Lamine Yamal, but in both cases it is due to sanctions. The Uruguayan will serve the match due to his expulsion in the Super Cup final and the winger was carrying a punishment from the Youth Cup. “We are favorites, of course, but it is a difficult and rocky field. It will cost as it did in Barbastro. For them it is the game of their life. We have to match that intensity.”