After two weeks without action (since 0-3 against Atlético, on March 17), Barça returns to the League this Saturday against Las Palmas (9:00 p.m.), 11th placed. It will be a “transcendental” match, according to the Terrassa coach, to “continue fighting for the League”, which he considers still alive. Eight points separate the Blaugrana from Real Madrid, who host Athletic on Sunday (9:00 p.m.).
In the press conference prior to the match against Las Palmas, corresponding to matchday 30 of the League, Xavi warned of the danger of post-team break matches. “Above all, it is dangerous because it is difficult to disconnect. It worries me because they have to connect to club mode. There are still two titles at stake. We have competed excellently in the last few games and I hope we give continuity to this dynamic,” said the coach in reference to the good dynamics prior to the national team break (victories against Mallorca, Naples and Atlético).
Although Barça has only been able to cut 2 points from the leader in the last 5 days, Xavi considers that the championship is still possible. “We are going to focus on the League, I think we can fight for it, it is vital to win the three points to put more pressure on Real Madrid,” the coach encouraged his team and the fans.
Regarding this Saturday’s rival, Las Palmas, coached by the Catalan Francisco Javier García Pimienta, former Barça B coach, Xavi warned of the risk it poses. In the first round, the Blaugrana team had serious difficulties to win. A goal by Gündogan from a penalty in the 92nd minute gave Barça the three points on their visit to the Gran Canaria Stadium on January 4, on matchday 19.
“Las Palmas is a rival that plays football very well, they have a style similar to ours, what we want to do, it will be difficult for us to take the ball away from them, but we have to do it to be protagonists. They are a team that does not give you the ball “, who has personality, who is going to push high, who is daring, brave, who puts the defense line very high. It is a difficult match, a good test for the rest of the season,” commented Xavi.
Xavi also made reference to Lamine Yamal after his time with the national team, with whom he shone at the Bernabéu in their match against Brazil. For the Terrassa coach, the youth player “is digesting very well everything that is happening to him despite his age, he is very aware of the situation he is experiencing, if he continues working, I see it with great humility. He is a footballer who will score an era in world football, I hope we can enjoy it at this level at Barça and with the national team.
He also had words of praise for Robert Lewandowski, whose ownership is in doubt after consuming 310 minutes of the double-elimination with extra time of the play-off with Poland. A tiredness for the Polish striker that could open the door to starting for the second game for the unprecedented Vitor Roque – who precisely debuted with Barça on the island field, almost three months ago.
“Robert is a natural leader, who has given us a lot since he arrived, he works with humility, he wants to improve despite his age, he is a beast of a footballer, he is in great form. He is back to the level he wants, “He has returned well from the national team. It is vital for our interests,” he praised the Pole.
The return of Ferran Torres is also expected, who has not played since January 31 due to injury and will be discharged after completing his physical recovery. “It will be the weekend of Ferran’s definitive return, he is very good, we played two games with the youth team to get into rhythm and they have done very well, he is 100%.”
