Xavi explains why, in Lamine Yamal, he has just called up a 15-year-old to FC Barcelona’s squad for the top-flight league game against Atlético Madrid. Before the duel, the Catalan coach also reacted resolutely to the malice for his sun complaint after the 0-0 win at Getafe FC and does not want to be banned from speaking.
There is one top game to be seen at Camp Nou in the current season and before FC Barcelona temporarily relocate due to the stadium renovations: The Catalans welcome third-placed Atlético Madrid on Sunday in the 30th matchday of La Liga (16: 3pm, in the Barçawelt live ticker). Coach Xavi answered questions about this at the press conference on Saturday afternoon.
PK vor FC Barcelona – Atlético Madrid: Xavi…
…about the duel with the Rojiblancos: “It’s going to be a difficult, big game. Atlético are probably in the best form in the league at the moment – not only because of the results, they also play great football, are in spectacular form. Many had declared her dead after leaving the Champions League. It is going to be difficult. We need to regain our identity, dominate much of the game. The game is an additional motivation – for us, for the fans. We have a good feeling.”
…about a possibly decisive statement in the championship fight with a win: “Yes, I totally agree. But that’s actually every game. There are nine left. There are nine finals. If we win, Atlético Madrid would have practically no chance of winning the championship. That would eliminate a title rival. The primary goal is to win the league. We are in a privileged situation, but we must not rest and we must not sleep. Real and Atlético are in good shape.”
…about 15-year-old Lamine Yamal’s squad call-up: “Everyone who is in the squad also has the chance to play. He’s a player who can help us because he has talent. He has a lot of personality, is good in one-on-ones, good in the last pass. I am convinced that he can help us. I spoke to him, he is happy and grateful.”
15-year-old in Barça squad against Atlético! De Jong and Pedri back
…on Yamal’s expiring contract: “We focus on the present. Whether he is nominated or not does not matter in view of his expiring contract. Apart from his age, we just think he can be important for the team. He’s been training beautifully so I thought I should call him up.”
…on Frenkie de Jong and Pedri’s squad comebacks: “We will decide tomorrow who starts and who doesn’t. When players like that aren’t there, you can feel it. They’re very, very important.”
…über Ousmane Dembélé: “He is close to returning to the matchday squad. We have decided: not yet. But he’s almost ready. We will win him back in the new week – if not for Wednesday then for Saturday. But he’s back in the team circles, Andreas (Christensen) is almost at 100 percent again.”
…about the poor form of Robert Lewandowski: “He’s in good shape, motivated, has trained well and is always looking for solutions to help the team improve – and so does his performance. We are very happy with Robert. His numbers aren’t what they were in the first half of the season, but he’ll score again.”
…about the meeting between Joan Laporta and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin about the allegation of referee corruption and a possible sanction in international business as a result: “The President told me that everything is fine, there is no concern. We are focused on our work, nothing more. He told me everything was fine, so I’m relaxed.”
…on the possible return of Lionel Messi: “I don’t follow these issues all the time. I have to work as a footballer, train well so that we can go out with all five senses tomorrow to perform as well as possible. I don’t have to think about the next season, not about non-sporting issues that could affect us within a week. It’s not the moment to talk about Leo.”
…about the criticism and malice for his statement after the 0-0 win against Getafe, including the sun that bothered him: “It didn’t bother me. I get criticized for everything. I don’t mind. i know where i am I don’t change my mind that the sun bothered me. The sun bothers us, a dry pitch is not good for us and neither for the spectacle nor for Getafe. The question is: why isn’t the square watered? The question is for Quique (Sánchez Flores, Getafe FC coach; ed.), not me. And: Why was the lawn longer than usual? There is a norm for the field in all sports. Why not in football? I don’t have to keep my mouth shut about this in my role. We must always draw attention to this. If the turf is not in order, golf will not be played. Tennis is paused when it rains. I won’t hold back there, the pitch is fundamental for me. The result is no excuse. I also talk about it when I win. This goes beyond the result. If we want to see a spectacle, we have to take care of the field. The sun is then harmful because it makes the place dry. We don’t like it when the sun shines. I’ll say that today, tomorrow and next week – even after 200 more ‘memes’, I don’t care. I do not stop.”
…about Julian Araujo: “He trains with us and we will make a decision with him at the end of the season.”
