Xavi talks Pedri, Iniesta, Lewandowski, Ferran, Roque, Inigo, Casado ahead of Athletic Club vs Barcelona

Barcelona will lock horns with Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club side away at San Mames on Sunday in Matchweek 27 of La Liga.

The Blaugrana do not have fond memories of their previous visit to San Mames for they were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by the Basque club. And they will be hoping to avoid a similar fate and come away with all three points tomorrow.

With Girona playing a relatively easier fixture against Mallorca, Barça must make sure they do not slip up against Athletic to maintain pressure on their Catalan rivals on the league table.

Ahead of the game, manager Xavi Hernandez addressed the media during his customary pre-match press conference, discussing various topics.

On facing Athletic Club

Starting things off, the Barcelona boss praised Athletic Club and the intensity with which they play, especially at home, saying:

“I haven’t seen all the teams, but in La Liga, they are the most intense. And in San Mamés they double that intensity. And they also play very good football and that’s thanks to Valverde, who is a great coach. He showed that here at Barça. They are the most physical opponent in every way.”

“They recently knocked us out of the Cup. They are the most intense opponent in the league. I think they’ve only lost one game there against Madrid. And they are confident. If we win we’ll take a big step forward,” he added.

Coming on the back of a 4-0 win against Getafe, confidence will be high in Barça camp, and Xavi insisted that they had rediscovered their mojo heading into tomorrow’s clash.

“It’s an ideal scenario to match them in intensity, rhythm and soul. Against Getafe we’ve rediscovered our game. We will have space and it will be a match similar to the one against Getafe,” the manager remarked.

On whether the team is in its best moment this season, he added: “We’re fine, less tense. We’ve played a string of good matches, but tomorrow is a different story. Tomorrow is an important test.”

On whether fatigue will be a problem for Athletic Club after they were involved in midweek, Xavi replied: “They may be affected by fatigue, but they are also in a great state of confidence. They are doing very well. They are missing Vivian, Nico and Yuri. Ernesto is working very well.”

“I like to have time to prepare things. When you play every three days, you cannot. Hopefully, they will feel the effects of Thursday’s game and will drop in intensity,” he added.

The manager then discussed Barcelona’s top away record in La Liga this season, with the team not having lost a single game on the road in the competition, saying:

“Surely playing in Montjuïc has affected us. We don’t feel as good as we do at Camp Nou. Away we are unbeaten and that’s a good sign. We competed well and we should have won even more points.”

On what Barcelona need to do differently from their cup loss to Athletic, Xavi said: “We have to be more vertical than we were, to be more effective. I think it was a good game. We have to dominate the game more.”

On the squad and his future

Tomorrow will be a special occasion for Inigo Martinez as he returns to his former club for the first time since leaving Athletic for Barcelona in the summer.

On how the Spaniard is dealing with the situation, Xavi said: “He is calm. He also returned to San Sebastian and had a great game. I don’t think his performance will change.”

Xavi was then asked about the lack of opportunities coming towards midfield talent Marc Casado, who continues to train with the first team without getting a look-in. In response, the manager said:

“You always ask me about those who don’t play. There is competition. Christensen is performing, and so is Oriol. For me he has the conditions to be a first team player.”

With the transfer window not very far away, a number of players are already being linked with Barcelona. When asked what sort of profile should Barça look for, Xavi said:

“I think the way football is set up, you have to have all the profiles in the squad. Technical players, physical players, players who go into space. Football has changed a lot. Without losing our DNA, we have to have all profiles.”

The manager also spoke about Vitor Roque and utilising him on the left flank in a few matches, saying:

“He came back from injury. He has had to get into a rhythm, and adapt to our system. Robert is in his natural position. He is adapting to the wing. He can give us a lot and he has already given us a lot.”

The manager also touched upon Robert Lewandowski’s improved form, saying: “Everyone has stepped forward. We have come together after our decision to leave. He’s playing better, he’s more intense and that’s why he was the best player in February.”

Pedri, too, has been in good nick of late, and Xavi insisted that the midfielder must continue to step up in the weeks to come.

“Pedri, like everyone else, has to be very important in this stretch. Everyone must step up and be at a high level to compete,” he remarked.

Xavi also touched upon Joao Felix’s recent return from injury, as he said: “He has been injured and we are managing the loads well. The other day he was decisive again. He is comfortable in that position as a winger going inside.”

The 44-year-old then confirmed that Ferran Torres is closing in on a return, saying: “He is almost there and in principle he will be with the team next week. We didn’t want to take unnecessary risks with him.”

On whether he has thought about continuing at Barcelona at the end of the season, Xavi replied: “As of today, nothing has changed. There is no issue. Step by step.”

When probed about the same topic further, he added: “I have already said it. As of today, it’s all the same.”

Xavi is currently on four yellow cards and another booking would entail a one-match touchline ban for him. On the matter, he said:

“I try not to take the fifth. I’m passionate, you can’t tell me I’m not involved. I live football and sometimes I make mistakes because I am human.”

Signing off, Xavi congratulated former teammate and fellow Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, who played his 1000th career game on Friday.

“He is the greatest talent I have ever seen in Spanish football. He is also a friend. I congratulate him on his 1,000 games. He is one of the best footballers in history,” said Xavi.

Source: SPORT