Barcelona’s coach appeared for the match against Alavés; he watched the news and confirmed De Jong would return to face Rayo Vallecano.
Barcelona’s coach, Xavi Hernández, addressed the club’s rough spell, calling it a temporary blip and insisting he has endured tougher crises here, as he spoke at a Saturday press conference before the upcoming match with Deportivo Alavés. He spoke about the team’s situation, calling it the coach’s moment and confirming Frenkie De Jong would be back for the Rayo Vallecano game.
These are Xavi’s most notable statements from the press room:
The match
“With energy and the will to play well. We’ve had a few rough performances. We need better positional play. We must play with order and identity.”
What are you asking for tomorrow?
“The same as ever. Play well, be superior, dominate the match. Rely on everything we have worked on over these two years. This season especially. Demand the maximum, this is Barça.”
The coaching moment
“It may be time to adjust things or explore options. It’s the coach’s moment to react. Still, we won’t abandon our principles. We have to restore positional play as a fundamental idea.”
Mental block?
“The issue seems to be that we’re not as organized on the field as before. It’s more a football problem than a mental one. The dressing room is healthy. The blockage comes from not being well positioned on the pitch.”
United Group
“We lost in Hamburg without a good performance. The spirit, however, has never failed. This team still aims to win titles. The group is tightly knit, and feels like a family away from home.”
The 14 internationals
“We trained well and analyzed recent events. The issue is more about positioning. We must regain the feeling. We anticipated some players would leave for national duty, nothing unexpected for us.”
Laporta, more optimistic than Xavi
“We discuss matters after each game. When I am positive, the president is among the few who surpasses me. He stays calm and has full confidence in the squad. They should keep working.”
Pedri and De Jong
“Frenkie will be present on Rayo day. Pedri is available 100%.”
Most delicate moment on the couch?
“No. It has nothing to do with that. Last year brought my toughest moment as a coach. This is not a crisis. Last year was delicate, but it never turned into a crisis.”
Critics
“Criticism comes with the job. You get used to it. Barça is used to it and you learn to live with it. A couple of rough games happened, and honesty matters. We didn’t deliver fully.”
Must play
“We must improve our positioning. Be cleaner than ever with the model. Recreate what we had against Madrid and build from there.”
Lamine Yamal
“His role will matter. He might play 30, 60, 90, or even 10 minutes. He has already shown that age is not a limit for influence.”
Hard or soft hand?
“I’m a driving coach. When order is needed, I push things, but I’m not a harsh presence. If necessary I raise my voice, but I’m not heavy-handed. My past experiences shape how I manage. That’s not the sole reason the team isn’t clicking.”
Robert Lewandowski
“They should let him operate in his best position. It’s mostly about positioning, not anything else. And that goes for Robert too.”
The most striking
“I didn’t listen for four days. The goal is to analyze what we’re doing, not the noise. There are people who want us to win and others who want us to lose. We must restore morale and the identity that carried us in past seasons.”
Team changes
“I believe in performance. Those who are best will play, regardless of names. That’s my approach, and the one that will decide the next match.”
Leadership
“That is the role of captains. There are different leadership styles. The dressing room is vibrant. The problem lies in the game, and that is my responsibility as coach. Improvement will come with better feelings.”
Ronald Araujo
“Ronald will be crucial. He will be available tomorrow and in all matches. He is a pillar for the team, a great captain, and a guarantee to have him.”
Game
“Arrange them. Return to the high standards that brought titles and strong feelings. It’s time to demand the things we did right and stop making mistakes.”
Do you suffer from criticism?
“Criticism hits me threefold because I feel it deeply. When we win, I savor it more; when we don’t, it lingers at home with my family. This is part of the job.”
Inigo Martinez
“A lot has been said about him. He is a natural leader with proven experience and numerous virtues. It was a request on my part, and he is a valuable asset to the group.”
Alejandro Balde
“The coach is asking for effort. Balde has delivered well and can still improve, like the whole squad. He will be decisive and contributes both in defense and attack.”
Ter Stegen
“Ter Stegen is a captain and understands the club’s demands. Our failures were our own mistakes, and we must fix them in the next match. Ter Stegen is a natural leader who knows what to do.”
Joao Cancelo
“He can operate on the left, inside, and on the wing. His versatility is a major asset.”