FC Barcelona’s players have been rewarded in a tricky way for Saturday’s resounding 4-0 win over Getafe at the Montjuic Stadium by head coach Xavi Hernandez, as reported by AS.
The victory provided the first time that the Blaugrana has won by four goals or more since a similar 5-0 Champions League group phase drubbing of Royal Antwerp in the same ground on September 19.
Announcing his summer resignation earlier this month, when the title race seemed all but over after suffering a 5-3 loss to Villarreal, Xavi was perhaps in his best mood since that dramatic affair post-match.
“It’s early, but yes, the other day I said that we are not throwing in the towel. This is a step forward, of the last fifteen points I think we have thirteen. We are in a good moment, we have to believe until mathematically there are no options [to win the league], which I think there can be. We put pressure on Girona and pressure on Madrid,” Xavi explained.
For delivering a “convincing, well-rounded game against a very brave opponent, who played with a very advanced defensive line”, Xavi has also made sure that his players have been rewarded.
As detailed by AS, it is common for Xavi to grant two or three days off in a week such as the one coming up, where Barca are not in action for another eight when they travel to San Mames to take on Athletic Club next Sunday.
The paper adds, though, that Xavi is partly tricking his players in a way. While Monday has been given off to everyone except those that are injured and are following a specific recovery plan, Tuesday has only a voluntary training session.
AS writes that no player is under pressure to come into the Joan Gamper CT on Tuesday, but it is obvious that those who decide not to might be viewed in a negative light.
It wouldn’t look good for those attempting to earn Xavi’s trust and minutes while in positional rivalries with their teammates, as Barca strives to make ground on Madrid and make a deep run on the continent from now until the end of the season.
