Xavi is approaching his first final, nearly 14 months after landing at the nearly blazing Camp Nou (Koeman was badly fired and the team was broken by Messi’s traumatic departure when he didn’t want to leave). Coach has never been closer to a title. And he knows that the club, no matter how much Barça’s vice-president of sports, Rafael Yuste says, “To death with XaviHow valuable would it be to reopen the museum’s doors?
Some doors have been closed since April 2021 (Cup still with Koeman and Messi). That’s a lot of time for an institution that has been shaken by the sports and economic crisis (it has 1,350 million in debt and its salary base is so high that it can’t sign). “Everything changes with a degree in your pocket. “This championship will mean a lot to us and Madrid’s extras will mean even more.”
He praised Ancelotti’s Madrid, with whom he maintains an excellent relationship. “He’s a football gentleman,” said Xavi, later praising the long list of virtues the white opponent had in the Super Cup final to be played in Riyadh this Sunday. “I see him very strong, very strong. The psychological aspect is essential. “They have a point advantage because they have played more finals, but we have to show more enthusiasm and motivation, that is unquestionable,” said the Barça coach.
And although his Barça has less experience in such finals than Madrid, Xavi does not doubt it. “This is a special time for youth and veterans. “We have a lot of people who have not won a championship with Barça,” he said.Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Alba, Ter Stegen, De Jong, Dembélé, Pedri, Araujo and Ansu Fati) One of the 24 players in the Barcelona squad won a trophy.
“This is a tremendous, tremendous opportunity for gamers.. And for veterans too. Seeing this final as “a golden opportunity to win a championship mid-season, this is a special moment for everyone,” said the Barça coach.
‘Araujo factor’
Xavi asked his team to play “fearless and carefree”, After his confession, “I would have paid to play for a few minutes even if it was a backup because you are in so much pain as a coach”.
three classic The coach played against Barça sitting on the bench. He lost the first (January 2022) against Madrid (2-3), and Araujo stopped Vinicius on the flank. He won the second (March 2022) at the Bernabéu (0-4), turned into a tactical reveal that knocked out the Uruguayan fast Brazilian winger, and lost the third and final (October 2022) again at the Bernabéu (3-1). Sergi Roberto occupies the right flank of the back due to Araujo’s injury.
“Ronald is phenomenal, one-on-one, one of the best in the world, making corrections behind his back. It is a great concealer. It gives us a lot of security and leadership, it’s an option,” said the coach.