Xavi: “We have a chance to go 11 points clear of Real Madrid”
The Barcelona coach complains that “if the market has ended, I don’t know what we do from the Barcelona environment talking about the future of Ansu”
Xavi looked ahead to Sunday’s game against Villarreal at Camp Nou and with Real Madrid occupied at the Club World Cup in Morocco, it is a golden chance for Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the table. Barça lead on 53 points, eight points ahead of Madrid with both teams having played 20 games.
Will the match against Villarreal be decided by how the team performs without the ball?
Yes, because both teams want the ball. The key will be there, we will try to be aggressive. Setién is doing a great job. They are a great team, with very good central defenders, with a very level-headed goalkeeper and [Dani] Parejo.
Are meetings with Villarreal, key games that you circle in red on the calendar?
Every game is key at this point. A win on Sunday would put us 11 points clear and that would put more pressure on Madrid. But our games are becoming more and more complicated because every team has a lot to play for.
How do you see the transfer market?
I don’t understand what we are doing talking about whether Ansu will depart or not; I have brutal confidence in him. The market is over. There are no players who are up for transfer. Ansu is a hope for us. I repeat, I don’t know what we are doing talking about the market for at this stage of the season.
Will Busquets stay on?
It’s up to him, i is his personal decision. He knows our position, he is legendary player this club.