FC Barcelona boss, Xavi Hernández post-match press conference after Villarreal LaLiga game
FC Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernández, spoke after his side’s thrilling 3-4 victory away to Villarreal, in which Gavi, De Jong, Ferran Torres and Lewandowski all got on the scoresheet.
His side went 0-2 up after quickfire goals in the first 15 minutes but Villarreal managed to turn the tide and bring it back to 3-2, before Barça overpowered them with quality off the bench.
How Xavi saw the game: “It was [crazy]. It was crazy because of our fault. We had the game under control. They had 10 minutes. At 0-2 up we gave away too much. They drew level because of our mistakes. In the middle of the game we went 3-2 down from a counter and from then on, we played well. The result isn’t big enough, we weren’t efficient enough to finish off the game.”
On having lots of options to choose from in the squad: “Fermín worked well. Ansu could have scored. The players who came on did their part. Gavi and Eric [García] were good. Ferran is ambitious and has a lot of desire. The changes were key to us winning the game.”
Lewandowski: “He’s always there. He’s a goal-scorer. He was very good in the high press. He dominated well and had a great second half. You have to dominate for 90 minutes, but it’s tough against such good teams.”
What advice do you give to young players?: “I tell them not to be scared. We trust them like I was trusted in my time. They gave me confidence, I have no problem in playing players who train well. Amazing footballers come out of the youth teams and we have to look towards them in our situation. Lamine, at 16, has done a lot. We will look at the youth setup even more.”
Christensen’s injury: “A niggling injury, he was limping and wasn’t comfortable, but the players who come in play their part well. I’m happy for the group.”
Further thoughts on the game: “We changed things up easily. The problem was in behind Sergi Roberto and we corrected it. The second half was great. It was difficult defensively, but because [Villarreal] are a team who work hard. Despite conceding a goal on the counter, we played well in the opponent’s half. The second half is the way to go. The result isn’t big enough for us. We couldn’t concede at 0-2. The key to things last year was not conceding. We got better in our play. In defence we have to keep growing.”
Ferran Torres’ role at Barcelona: “He’s ambitious and has desire. He wants success at Barcelona. He is an example, humble and hardworking. Things will work out for him or not on a given day, but he is always there. Today he turned around a game that was complicated.”
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s 16-year-old winger: “The expectations are high for him, because he shows it. He’s currently a starter because he is able to make the difference. He gets his decisions correct. Today he got two or three assists. His age surprises me. At just 16, he always makes the right decision and decision-making is the most difficult thing in football.”
How do you manage the pressure on Lamine?: “He won’t have problems in doing that. He’s happy. He’s humble and hardworking. There is a lot of competition in the role, he’s at Barcelona. But he has the level to play.
Could Lamine play for Spain?: I’d like him to play for Spain. With our football. It’s a personal decision, but I don’t know what he’ll do [his father is from Morocco and his mother is from Equatorial Guinea]. I just hope he is at Barcelona for a long time.”
Possible incoming transfers: “What the president says is written in stone. We will try to bring in players. I’m fully behind the president.”
Frenkie De Jong: “He’s been doing it for months. Last year was incredible. He’s been playing extraordinarily well for a few games. He’s played a few games as one of the best midfielders in the world. I’m so happy with him. He’s amazing. He’s at his best level since he arrived at Barça.”
Eric García’s performance: “I am very confident in him. He is competing against good centre-backs, but he will get chances. When we need an exit ball from the back, he’s a guarantee. I am very confident in him.”
