Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez stressed the difficulty of facing Athletic Bilbao tomorrow, Sunday, in the 27th round of La Liga, at San Mames Stadium.
Xavi said, during the press conference today, Saturday: “We analyzed Bilbao’s performance, and we played against them recently and they knocked us out of the King’s Cup. They are the most physically powerful competitor in this category, and they have more confidence after reaching the cup final.”
He added: “We are preparing well for the match, and if we win, it will be a big step forward. Bilbao will feel exhausted because they played a match on Thursday, and the absence of Neco Williams is a big blow, but it will be a different match than the one we played against them in the cup.”
He added by talking about Bilibao’s strength: “They have determination, intensity, and the rhythm of competition, and the credit goes to coach Valverde. He is a great coach and he showed that in Barcelona, and created a team that is physically stronger in every sense of the word.”
Regarding his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the current season, the Spanish coach commented, saying: “Nothing has changed, and I am determined to leave.”
Regarding Iñigo Martinez, he revealed: “I see him calm, as he returns home, and his mentality or performance has not changed. He is ready, and playing in San Mames can be a useful motivation for him.”
He noted: “Vitor Roque is returning from an injury and had to get into the rhythm of the competition, and Lewandowski plays in his natural position as an outright striker, and it is a matter of time until Roque adapts and can give us a lot.”
He continued: “Everyone has taken a step forward, and Lewandowski is playing better and stronger with and without the ball, and that is why he won the Best Player award in February.”
He concluded by talking about the arrival of his former colleague Iniesta, the Emirati team star, for his 1,000th match in his career: “He is the greatest talent I have ever seen in Spanish football, and I congratulate him on this number. He left an imprint here that will not be repeated, and he is one of the best football players in history.”
