“It would be great if we won the League there this weekend and you already know why,” said Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona. And he added: “You don’t need to explain more.” Barça can crown the title this Sunday. So far, everything is normal for a team that is 13 points ahead of second in the standings, Atlético de Madrid; and 14 to the third, Real Madrid. But the incentive, for the top manager of Barcelona, is to lift the League this Sunday at the RCDE Stadium, in the derby against Espanyol (9:00 p.m., Movistar LaLiga). Xavi Hernández, on the other hand, does not think about rivalry. “I understand that for the culés it is an extra motivation. But we will not win it against them, but against all the rivals. It would be the rubric. Regardless of whether it is Espanyol. For me, it is more important to win a League, I don’t care if we do it at home, away, at Espanyol’s field, Real Madrid’s or Getafe’s. Those of us inside value the general work, not winning it in a derby. It would sign an extraordinary league”, remarked the Barcelona coach.
Every time he can, Xavi seeks to vindicate the work of his players. “We are at 200 percent. We train at full speed ”, he highlighted. He’s so confident in his guys that he’s released them five of the last 11 days. “I had thought about giving them eight, and then I thought that it was too many. I thought, we have to win the league, and we left it in five after speaking with the physical trainers, ”the Barcelona coach ironized.
The coaching staff had decided to give the squad four days off after the victory on the 2nd against Osasuna. However, after three intense days of training, the physical trainers advised Xavi that the squad rest one more day. “The emotional issue is heavy, you have to control your nerves, your emotions… A derby is always hot. Regardless of what is at stake. You have to do things well technically and tactically as well. It is a surprise that Espanyol is so low in the table. It’s a good team”, highlighted Xavi, before praising Luis García, with whom he coincided in the coaching course in Madrid 2019. “There is no greater incentive than a derby and that we have a lot more at stake than them. There is nothing comparable to playing the descent. No one is at stake more than us, not even the one who wants to be league champion, ”said Luis García, Espanyol coach.
“The best midfielder in history”
This Sunday will be the last derby for Sergio Busquets, captain of Barcelona. “This title is important to him. He has made a good decision, although it hurts us. He leaves valued, and at a very good time, ”explained Xavi. The coach never hid his weakness for Busquets, he did it when they were teammates, also since he has sat on the bench at the Camp Nou. “He is perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever played with. It has been wonderful to have him as captain. He has been a 10 in everything, conduct, respect, delivery, solidarity. And at the football level he has been spectacular. He is a model, the best midfielder in the history of Barça without a doubt, ”insisted Xavi, who does not forget Piqué. “We thought that he would be at the celebrations. There are more people who left, but he is in other teams. He left. We will review it, if we win the League, ”he recounted.
Busquets was not the only one who announced his goodbye to Barcelona. Mateu Alemany, director of football, will not continue at the club next season. “We lose a very important asset. I have been very comfortable with him. He has been capital for the restructuring of the club. It is a significant loss, but it is a personal decision that must be accepted. I wish him the best, it has been a pleasure working with Mateu Alemany”, said Xavi.
Nor is it known what will be of the future of Jordi Cruyff, Barça’s technical secretary, whose contract expires this summer. “I have tremendous confidence in him, he is a valid, capable person… We’ll see what happens. He has been a very important, transcendental piece. It has helped me a lot. Whether he stays or leaves, his figure must be highlighted. I am very grateful”, said the Barcelona coach. And he looked at the offices: “It is a decision of the president. We want to win the League and then the restructuring of the sports area will be decided. Nothing is decided.” Of course, the coach avoided assessing the possible signing of Deco for the soccer management. “They are hypotheses. Nothing is decided. When we do it, we’ll make it official,” Xavi concluded, about the virtual incorporation of Deco, Raphinha’s representative and close friend of Alejandro Echavarría, Laporta’s ex-brother-in-law and trusted man.
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