Xavi, on the 'Negreira case': "We have made a Cádiz isolation"

MADRID, 18 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The coach of FC Barcelona, ​​Xavi Hernández, has assured that they have made "an isolation from Cádiz", in relation to this Sunday's game against Cádiz, and they have not spoken in the squad about the scandal generated by the payment for advice from the Catalan club to the former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees José María Enríquez Negreira, although he has recognized that some have made "some little joke".

"We have spoken and we have seen a video of Cádiz, all of Cádiz. We have made an isolation from Cádiz," he joked at a press conference. "It's about it in the best possible way, even making a little joke, without more. We focus on our work and competing. We haven't discussed it, really, we haven't even talked about it," she added.

Thus, he called to focus on LaLiga Santander and his next rival. "We expect a more defensive rival, more direct play, second ball, crosses from the wings, players who create a lot of imbalance... A more direct football. I imagine a Cádiz with a medium-low block, the typical game at home in which we must become masters of the ball. We have to play a very good game because Cádiz defends very well, we have the memory of last year, losing at home. In recent years it has cost us a lot. They are three very important points important", he affirmed, remembering that they have "to win" LaLiga. "There are many days left, it depends on us and we have to go for it," he said.

In addition, the Catalan coach announced that he will carry out rotations, although these will not have to do with Thursday's draw against Manchester United in the Europa League (2-2) but with the fatigue of his players. "Regardless of whether we had won, lost or tied, we would have rotated. There is fatigue, tiredness, discomfort, there are many games in a very short space of time and we have to rotate. It is time to rotate the squad," he ventured.

"Many things can happen tomorrow. It's a game, then the other... we don't think about anything else. You have to adapt. When tomorrow's game is over, we'll think about Thursday," he explained regarding the return duel against the ' red devils'.

Xavi, who revealed that he is recovering Sergio Busquets, also announced that Eric Garcia will take the place of the suspended Ronald Araujo in the center of defense. "He deserves to play. I am being unfair to Eric, because he has the competition he has, and when he has played he has been at a very high level. He is prepared; he trains well, he never complains, he is always with a smile and positive. He is a It's wonderful to train Eric. He deserves more minutes," he said.

All in a match in which he will not be able to count on the injured Pedri. "It's always a disgrace to have casualties, and Pedri is also a very important player for the team. He's vital for our style of play, he makes a difference, he has an extraordinary 'tempo' in midfield, he generates things for us in attack, we it gives fluidity in the game... We lose a very important footballer in our scheme, but we have alternatives. It's time to give other people an alternative and gain more confidence and more minutes. There will be moments for everyone, they have to be prepared. With the casualties due to injury or accumulation of minutes, people have to be prepared and we hope that what happened last year doesn't happen and we don't miss him so much," he said.

The culé coach also assured that it is "early" to have Ousmane Dembélé again, who "has to listen to his body" to know when he will return, and affirmed that Ferran Torres "needs confidence". "When a player is in a process of lower form than normal, who does not have the performance that everyone expects, he needs confidence. We trust him a lot, I have extreme confidence in everyone," he explained.

He also surrendered to Raphinha's work. "I'm the one who trusts him the most, I have full confidence in him. He's a signing we asked for. I know what he's capable of, he's making a difference and he's the team's top assistant. He's scoring goals, he dares one-on-one one, he is fast... For me, he is an extraordinary player. When there was criticism I had zero doubts. He triumphs and he will triumph at the club, without any doubt", he insisted.

On the other hand, he assured that he sees Robert Lewandowski "very well". "I see him very well, he is in a very good moment. Yes, it is true that before he was extraordinary and now it seems that he is at a low point, but it is not bad. He works for the team, presses, pushes... Perhaps we should play more with him. We insist to the players that we have a brutal reference striker, a 'top' player, who makes a difference, any ball that goes into the area makes it good. It's time to play more with him", he stressed.

Lastly, Xavi spoke about his maturity as a coach. "I have matured here, especially in the press conference. I have matured in many things: in decision-making, in being calmer in extreme situations, in telling players that they cannot continue at the club... Sometimes, it is not a pleasant job or grateful, but I am delighted and happy because the process is being very good", he concluded.