Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed his desire to lead his team to victory during the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid, tomorrow, Sunday, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Xavi said, during the press conference on Saturday: “The team is very motivated and excited for El Clásico. We will try to put on a great match. We want to repeat last season’s victory, impose our style and control the ball.”
He added: “We are less prepared here than Real Madrid. This is the truth and we must be honest, but when the ball starts rolling there is no favorite team. We must enjoy it as we want to be in the final of the first tournament of the season.”
“We must play with our identity”
He continued: “It does not depend on Pedri whether I play with four players in midfield or not. He is in 100% good condition and we will see the names. I have a clear idea. We must play with our identity that was implanted by Johan Cruyff 30 years ago.”
Regarding his opinion of Barcelona’s undeserved victory, he said: “The opposite happened. We did not win when we should have won. I don’t remember many matches. Maybe this year at Real Sociedad Stadium, one of 200 matches, but the opposite does not happen to us often.”
Regarding the rest period before El Clasico, he commented: “There is not much importance in the difference on rest days. They played extra time against Atletico Madrid, and last year we were in the same situation. I don’t think that can be an excuse.”
Regarding Araujo’s monitoring of Vinicius, he said: “I cannot give hints because that would be in Ancelotti’s (Real coach’s) favor. You will see that tomorrow. Araujo wherever he plays is useful. He has improved a lot with the ball since we took over.”
“It makes a difference”
He revealed: “I feel that Real Madrid is stronger when Barcelona is stronger. Since I took over, if we achieved any title we had to go through Real Madrid. Last year in the final, and in the league we had to beat them otherwise we would have been 6 points behind,” he revealed. Then they knocked us out of the King’s Cup.”
He continued: “At Real Madrid, they react when they see Barcelona strong. Everything is equal, even when it comes to titles as well. Last year we won two titles and this year we are competing with them for this title. They are stronger when we are stronger.”
Regarding Lamine Yamal, he explained: “I will ask him to play his way, and to show courage, talent and quality. He is young, but he will not bear the burden of the situation because he has the audacity to make a difference even as a teenager.”
Regarding Ancelotti, he said: “I certainly did not underestimate his value. Quite the opposite. He seems to me to be one of the best coaches in the world and history. He succeeded in all the countries he was in, and left a mark.”
“Saudi football is improving”
Xavi Hernandez added: “It is difficult to find someone who speaks badly about Ancelotti. He has exceptional respect. We were midfielders, and we saw football in the same way, but the ideas and systems were different.”
Regarding Bellingham’s supervision, he replied: “We are not focused on one player because we will go crazy. Everyone has an exceptional level. Vinicius, Rodrigo, Bellingham, Modric, Tchouamini. They are Real Madrid, and Bellingham is an exceptional player and makes the difference.”
Regarding residency in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona’s technical director said: “We are very happy to be here. They have always treated us well, and I believe that Saudi football will improve a lot in the coming years.”
