Xavi Hernández appeared at the press conference prior to the Santander League duel between Barcelona and Sevilla this Sunday at the Camp Nou. The Catalan coach was satisfied with the good moment that the culé club is going through, which comes to the duel against the Sevillian team after beating Betis at Villamarín.
Sevilla
«We are going to have a complicated, tough rival, who can complicate us. We are playing against a team that is rebellious and wants to rebel against the situation it has. We play at the Camp Nou and we need the fans. We are in a great moment but we have an exam again and we have to get the three points ».
Fourth midfielders
“We feel comfortable with any system, because we have played matches with two extremes. The winger has gone to the center and we have done the same. Change the name, the neatness of the midfielder who loses fewer balls. It doesn’t vary much. We do the same as last year but we are more mature. We have better players and more variants. We are just as comfortable with the system. It does not change too much four midfielders. Those who play now lose balls less and there are fewer attack-defense transitions. That allows us to be more comfortable.”
Busquets renewal
«We are on the same line, we work together and we think the same. The decision is up to Busquets and we are waiting for what he can decide. He is a very important person. He has earned the right to decide his future. He would be delighted that he can continue to help us ».
Paul Tower
«He has not played games and needs rhythm. The age he is, he cannot be without playing. It is good that he participates with the subsidiary. He is going to play with them so that he has minutes, enjoys himself and competes. This competitiveness will make him be prepared if we need him.
Note to the team
«The note will be at the end of the season. We are good, in a good moment. In the best time in history we did not always play excellent games. We didn’t always play great. In football there is always an opponent. I am very satisfied with how we are doing in the league, five points behind Real Madrid. We are in a great moment of form. We come from winning a title and it has given us peace of mind. You have to give it continuity in the League, Cup and Europa League.
Euphoria
«You have to talk to the players and tell them that not much has been achieved. We have won the Super Cup but this is about winning the League, Cup and Europa League. This is Barcelona. We have to be family inside the locker room. There is a very good atmosphere, one of the best I have experienced. We are working well and we are on the right track. We must not lower our guard”.
Dembele and Raphinha
«We have less one against one because Ousmane is the best of the squad in heads-up. We lose that quality but so can Raphinha, Ansu or Ferran. We want the same thing, play with game, open the field, be protagonists with the ball … ».
Paulista and Vinicius
«In the end they are footballers like Dembélé, Neymar. The player having one on one makes the defender more aggressive. Vinicius generates a lot of things for you in attack, it is normal for the defensive line to have more vigilance. There is a committee and a referee and they have to do their job.
More midfielders
“It benefits the whole team. We lose fewer balls, we are more together, in general it benefits the whole team.
The Young
“He has all the conditions that a Barcelona midfielder and one of the best in the world encompasses. I’ve always liked him and that’s why he’s one of the most used by me since I’ve been a coach ».
Bucket
“In principle it may be fine and we will decide to see how it is.”
Chelsea
«If they have done it, it is because they have been able to. I don’t know what law there will be in the Premier. We focus on what is ours which is enough. I’m not very up to date.”
favorites
«We are not favorites, we are a candidate to win it. We are competing against the current champions of the League and the Champions League and it is going to cost us a lot for a very strong Real Madrid. The Super Cup cost us, the Cup will cost us and we will compete in the League until the last day. I see a strong Madrid even if it is five points away.
Ansu Fati
«Things will work out. You have to be patient. Ansu is a spectacular asset to the club and we have a lot of trust in him. You have to be patient. I have a lot of confidence in Ansu. He is working well, with a mentality in training and when he comes out. He needs time and patience. This is not the time to talk about sales.
big streak
“All this has given us confidence and we have done very well. Mainly for the young. You loosen up a bit and that’s important. Without lowering the piston, we must continue with this mentality and demand. People have freed themselves in this Super Cup and they know they can win titles.”
The pressure of Madrid
“We also have pressure every game. Every time I go out here you tell me if it is now the key party. Every week is the same. The good thing is every game. Then the Europa League will come: I have heard that it will mark the season, then the Cup semifinals, the League. We are Barcelona and we are exposed to that pressure. Better to aspire to win titles than to lose the category.
Campaign on Raphinha’s goal
“Makes me laugh. We have already suffered a few. I think there is a point of fanaticism that gives rise to all this. It is understood that there is this fanaticism and things are seen where there are none. Something fair tends to look unfair.
Bucket
“We have been surprised by its rapid evolution. She is at a spectacular level at 19 years old. She is making a difference. Assisting, being important in defense. Let him continue like this ».
Raphinha
“It’s always important. Whenever he plays he generates things. A pass, a shot outside the area, goals… He is a transcendental player in the game. He is always there and works for the team. It is a guarantee. I have a lot of confidence in him. This goal was fantastic for him.”
goals of all
“It is important that we have solved the games without him. It is important that teammates contribute goals. We have to generate things in all possible ways. You have to generate a lot of things in attack. I am happy for Raphinha, Ferran, Pedri, Gavi… The footballers have to join the attack and make a difference”.
good data
«The merit, we must give value to where we were last year and now. We encountered many difficulties, we came from not winning titles, with very low morale. We are in a moment with enthusiasm, I see the people in the stadium filling the field almost at home game. There are more or less criticisms but people are very excited ».
defensive level
«We are solvent in the League … although in Europe it has cost us more. It is a sign that we are doing the defensive job well. The state of Ter Stegen is exceptional. In general we are in a good moment, also defensively.
without right back
«The normal thing is that Koundé is central but he is adapting well to the right side. He is at a great level and is an alternative. Another is Sergi, Ronald, or even Eric. We have to have alternatives in that position.”
Goals conceded in Champions
“I have no explanation. In the Champions League, the injuries to the central defenders affected us at the right time. It is not an excuse but they are weighty arguments.
Improvement
“We play football better, we find the free man, we no longer pass it by, we have an intention, we must improve in many things, growth is exponential.”
100 point league
“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about winning the League. The goal is to win the championship. The important thing is to win the League.”
The best Barça of the last
“I wouldn’t say that much. We are on the right track, under construction. This is a long process. From here to compare with such good times is excessive.
