Xavi Hernández: "Injuries are a disgrace"

MADRID, 30 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The coach of FC Barcelona, ​​Xavi Hernández, recognized that the plague of injuries during the national team break "frustrates", but that "it is not about looking for blame" because the injuries are "a disgrace" in the run-up to the match against Mallorca in the return of LaLiga Santander.

"It's not about looking for culprits but about having the players available all season. It's a disgrace, and now that we have a small plague of injuries, it's time to show that we have a great squad and compete tomorrow," Xavi said at the conference. of press.

Xavi Hernández acknowledged that "it frustrates" having so many injuries, but that he wants to "think positive" because "they are misfortunes." "We always send a plan of minutes, of specific fatigue to each team, and then they act as they act," he said.

The Catalan coach explained that "each player is different" and that although they try to find an explanation, they cannot find it because it is "multifactorial". "We will try to make sure that it doesn't happen to us, now that we have a month and a half from here to the World Cup, that it doesn't happen to us. We have to have more prevention, more precaution, pay attention to detail and we don't know exactly what the main factor is, if many trips, the change of methodology, the load of parties", deepened.

As a possible solution, Xavi Hernández presented an alternative. "It's difficult, I think that FIFA also has a plan, to hold a World Cup every two years, that there is more controversy there. There is a calendar that FIFA has, when I was in Qatar, that they make the selection for a month and a half, and the rest of the season is for clubs. That they make the whole month and a half of selections and from there with the clubs. I see it as a good solution, but it does not depend on me, it is clear, "he commented.

"I have a very good relationship with Luis Enrique. We talk about players, and we call not only Tite, but also the Frenchman and the coach of any player we have in the team to counteract the charges in some way, we always send a plan and we are in continuous communication, because I think it is necessary, and even so several footballers have been injured," he assured.

The one who has been at his command during the break has been Ansu Fati, whom Xavi has seen "very well". "The days we have trained he is very good. I am very happy with how he has trained, he has chosen the other one, to rebel, to train one hundred percent and it will be important", he declared.

The next rival will be Mallorca, a rival that the coach describes as "difficult". "Aguirre gets a lot out of his teams, they defend very well and they like direct play. After national teams it's always hard for us and we're focused on doing a good training session, analyzing them and trying to win the three points," he said.

On the right side, which is perhaps the position with the most problems, Xavi stressed that he has "very versatile footballers", which gives him "several options", including the youth squad Marc Casadó, "a versatile footballer who has a soul and He competes well", although he does not rule out using three central defenders either.

"Sergi Roberto can play perfectly there. They can adapt, Frenkie, for example, Gavi, but I think it has to be a more defensive profile than a midfielder, but there are many options, we have very versatile players," he argued.

Among the central defenders, without Koundé or Araujo, Xavi has no worries because "the five central defenders are guaranteed." "I'm not so focused on the pairing that plays as on the one we need in each game. Both Eric and Andreas are central defenders and I think they're at a high level", he assessed.

The stretch of games that the club now faces before the World Cup "is not definitive, but it is important." "There are 12 games, eight in the league and four in the Champions League, which are very important for us. It is a stretch of the season, I would say quite transcendent, especially the Champions League," he commented.

The ilerdense confessed that they will make "many rotations" because they have a "large squad". "Everyone will play, everyone will be important and they have to be prepared. In the end, everyone is worth three points, the league points and the Champions League points, the three from Bayern are just as important as the three from Viktoria Plsen at home", he pointed out. .

Xavi Hernández confirmed that Dembelé is "available", but that with the others he will not force, but rather has "in mind that they return one hundred percent". "The most important thing is that they recover well and that there is no relapse," he added.

"We still have time to recover some players, Araujo obviously not, it's impossible, but the rest yes. The rest can recover well, we have a fantastic medical staff and we will try to get them back as soon as possible. We try to cover every detail, but sometimes they escape you," he said.

The coach acknowledged that the Uruguayan's problem especially "annoys" him, because "he has had to undergo surgery and will be away from training and team dynamics for quite an important time." "Football has these things, they are injuries, they have to be accepted and now there is an opportunity for many others to participate and be prepared to compete," he explained.

Hernández also spoke about the role of the quarry, stating that it is "in continuous communication with Rafa Márquez". "They are doing a great job, this week has also helped us to see many in training, and whoever is ready, to play, no matter how old they are," he declared.

Xavi also gave his opinion on what surrounds Spanish football, both in the national team and in the clubs. "I always think that the environment of any football team in Spain is very critical. Each club and in the national team, which is everyone's. There is a demand, it is critical, this is Barcelona, ​​Catalonia, Spain, or you take it or you leave it, it's like that, those of us who are used to living in criticism understand what this business is about, "he concluded.