There is no turning back possible. Some voices from Barcelona fans had hinted that they will move behind closed doors to try to get Xavi Hernández to reconsider and reconsider continuing next season, fulfilling his contract. But the coach wanted to clarify that he has made the decision well. “I made it very clear and he hasn’t changed anything,” he ruled out.
Xavi remains firm that on June 30 (the Champions League final is June 1) he will leave the entity. And he insists that he will give everything until the end. “I will help in any way I can because I love this club. If Deco asks me, I’ll help. My day to day life has not changed. I am more motivated if possible because I have less and less time left in the position,” he announced.
The Terrassa coach is convinced that his announcement has been positive. “I am focused on the day to day. I think the decision was the right one because the club needed a change of direction. I don’t think about Celta or Naples, only about Granada,” he deciphered.
Furthermore, Xavi hopes that he has not said the last word this season and that the League can be fought, despite the 8 points advantage that Madrid has, which this Saturday faces Girona, second in the table. “It is in our best interest to beat Granada. Knowing that one or both of them are going to leave points, what we cannot do is fail like against Villarreal. Of course we will be aware of what they do but the most important thing is to get the three points,” he prescribed.
Xavi warned of the change of coach of the Granada team. “With Medina they have improved in defense and intensity. It will be difficult to generate things. He will be a difficult opponent because he is in need because he is at the bottom,” warned the one from Terrassa, who can provide continuity to Christensen’s position as a pivot.
To receive Granada, Barcelona will recover Ter Stegen and Raphinha but Oriol Romeu, with discomfort, joins the list of casualties along with Gavi, Balde, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, João Félix and Ferran Torres. “Ter Stegen is fundamental. One of the natural leaders of the squad and one of the captains. Iñaki has shown that he is a goalkeeper for Barça, we had no doubt. Very happy for Marc, he is a capital player,” he explained about the more than likely replacement in goal after the German’s three-month absence.
Neither Competition nor Appeal have withdrawn the second yellow from Vitor Roque, sent off in Mendizorroza, in what Xavi judged to be an error by the referee. The Brazilian is permanently out against Granada. However, the Barcelona coach did not charge against the committees. “I’m not going to talk more about referees. I already said it last week and I cannot fail you. You’ve already seen it, everyone.”
