BARCELONA
Xavi’s press conference ahead of Barcelona’s LaLiga game against Las Palmas
Xavi Hernández spoke about Vitor Roque, Barcelona’s intensity, Lewandowski, injuries, criticising the players and his wishes for 2024.
FC Barcelona boss Xavi Hernández spoke to the press ahead of the LaLiga game against UD Las Palmas at Gran Canaria Stadium (Jan 4, KO 3.30 p.m. ET / 12.30 p.m. PT.).
The Catalan side find themselves 4th in the LaLiga standings on 38 points after 18 games, behind Atlético Madrid on goal difference, and both Real Madrid and Girona by 7 points. Xavi’s side have won 11 games, drawn 5 and lost 2, scoring 34 and conceding 21.
What do you expect from the game against Las Palmas?
“It’s a difficult return [to the season]. With Girona’s permission, Las Palmas (who sit in 10th) are the surprise team of the season. [García] Pimienta is a great coach, they play football well, and in a very similar way to what we look to do; they play an attacking style, like us. I know the coach, we crossed paths in the youth team. It will be a fight to have the ball. It’s a very tough opponent but their positive style could help us. We’ve trained well and the team look good since they’ve come back. But it’s no time for words and it’s time to act on the pitch. We have to play well and be consistent.”
Are you going to have Vitor Roque available?
He will be in the squad. They tell me that it’s a matter of hours.
You were tough on the players against Almería. Do you think of this game as a measure of where the team are at in terms of a response?
I’ll take all the months necessary to see if we compete well and find a good dynamic. We want to win tomorrow. We’ve come back strong, the team needed it. I’m not one for giving messages through the press. I say things to people’s faces. They took the telling off in the right way.
What is the likelihood of signing Aleix García?
I haven’t spoken neither to Aleix nor any other footballer. It all depends on Financial Fair Play and what we can do. I’m in contact with the president and Deco (sporting director). There’s nothing new, as of yet.
Is Íñigo Martínez ready to play?
He won’t be there tomorrow, he’ll be back for the Copa del Rey game [against Barbastro] on Sunday.
What do you want in 2024?
Success. The objective is to win trophies. In the league we need points and in the Champions League we’re doing well. Very soon we’re going to be playing in two spectacular competitions: the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. I want health, happiness and, above all, to win.
How is Pedri’s recovery going?
He feels good. Hopefully he can be back sooner rather than later. He’s in good spirits and feels good.
Did your criticism resonate with the players?
It resonated with them in the second half against Almería. I had to speak clearly and directly. In the first half we weren’t at the level you need to be at Barcelona, the players understood that.
What do you think of Vitor Roque so far?
We’ll go little by little. He’s 18-years-old and we can’t load him with huge responsibilities. He’s prepared. He’s taken care of himself and adapted well to the side but we have to proceed with caution.
Might Lewandowski benefit from the competition up front?
Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, João Félix... he’s going to help us generate competitiveness. It’s a positive aspect of his arrival.
Do you have to be stronger outside of just the boxes?
I completely agree. Against Girona we lost but we had a good game. Away, against Real Sociedad, we didn’t play well but we won. We have to get closer to playing how we did against Madrid or Girona, but for 90 minutes. The results will come with the play. And we have to get better in the boxes.
Would you be brave enough to bench Lewandowski in favour of Vitor Roque?
I can’t treat one player different from the next. The group is above any individual. We need hard work, pressing, intensity.
You picked out Lewandowski in your telling off. Have you spoken to him? Could he play alongside Vitor Roque?
They can play together, they can adapt. We’ve all given the team talk a lot of importance, it wasn’t to single out a player, it was for all the team.
Have you seen Messinho play?
We are not focussing on other names, we’re focussed on ourselves.
What ideal XI would you make of Barcelona players?
In all of history? That’s a tough one. I’d be sure to leave someone out. You said myself, Iniesta and Busquets? OK, let’s go with that.
How is Vitor Roque settling in?
Raphinha is helping him as his guide and we have Bojan for these things. We have made him videos of what we want for his position. He can adapt well.
Who would you sign first: Haaland or Mbappé?
We aren’t in the economic position to sign these players. I’ll stick with the players I’ve got. I’m still as excited as the first day, hopefully we can repeat the success of last season.
How can you help Frenkie de Jong to be better?
He’s very demanding of himself. He’s at a very high level and is one of the best midfielders in the world. We’ve found a position for him that adapts perfectly to his qualities. When he’s not there, we really miss him. He has leadership qualities and he loves being on the ball.
What part of the pitch worries you the most?
I’m more worried about the defence. This year we’ve given away a lot and last year we were extraordinary in defence. This season, despite scoring twice, we’ve not managed to win. I suffer a lot when it comes to out defence, we’ve been conceding a lot.
What do you think of Julián Araujo, the Barcelona player on loan at Las Palmas?
Bojan is following him. He’s playing and doing well. His progress is positive. I’m very happy for him.