Xavi: "We're not thinking about the Clasico or Inter, we have to react"

MADRID, 8 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The FC Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernández, has assured that "they are not" thinking about next week's matches against Inter Milan and Real Madrid and that they are focused on "reacting" this Sunday against RC Celta after the new European stumble, and has stated that their motivation is "to continue being leaders" of LaLiga Santander.

"We're not thinking about the Clasico or Inter. We've focused these two days of training at Celta on working tactically. Not much physically, because we carry an important load. It's important to get the three points and continue to be leaders. We're focused one hundred percent in what is going to happen tomorrow," he declared at a press conference.

Therefore, against Celta they will put "the best eleven" despite the fact that they will take into account "discomfort and fatigue". "Inter or Mallorca have nothing to do with Celta. Coudet wants a lot to have the ball, to be the protagonist in the game, they are very vertical when they steal the ball, they have a lot of presence in midfield... Last year they complicated us a lot. We have to impose our game model. It's going to cost us, but we have to recover; after a defeat, we have to react, and it's a very good moment, in a home game in front of our fans", he pointed.

In addition, he denied that they are going to do an individual marking on Iago Aspas. "We will defend as a group and there will be no individual marking despite Iago's quality. I like him a lot, he makes a difference, he is decisive and his team depends a lot on him. We will not do an individual marking, but we will be very attentive to what he does", warned.

On the other hand, the Catalan coach invited to forget the controversy over the arbitration of the Champions League against Inter. "We were outraged, we thought it was an injustice and we kept thinking about it, but that's it. Now I'm thinking about beating Celta. The positive part is that we still depend on us in the 'Champions' to get through. Now we're in LaLiga, we're leaders and we want to continue there," he said, in addition to explaining why they did not file a complaint with UEFA.

"We have talked about it. We have decided not to do it, what was decided was decided. I am a participant in it," he said. "I already complained, I hardly ever complain and I don't mess with the referees. It gave me a feeling of tremendous injustice. But that's it," she added.

On the discharge and the return of the Dutch Frenkie de Jong, Xavi explained that "he could play central" due to the lack of players in that position due to injuries. "He's one hundred percent. We'll see what we decide tomorrow. He gives us strength, he divides, he enters the area, he's generous, he reaches the area, technically it's difficult to see him lose a ball, he gives us dynamism... It's a guarantee to have Frenkie available," he said.

He also assured that the central defender of the Chadi Riyadh subsidiary "has a future" and that the winger Ousmane Dembélé "is on the right track" to be the same as before. "We have given him confidence, honey. He has been a great professional from the first day and I am happy. In many games he has made a difference and he needs to do it in every game. He has the potential to do it, but he has to believe it more, he has to score differences. It has to help us more," he said.

Regarding Ronald Araujo, he revealed that "he is in full recovery" and that he is optimistic. "He's a warrior and he's not going to sink. He came to training the other day and motivated the team. His attitude is very positive. Shorten deadlines? I don't know, but if anyone can, it's Ronald. And Uruguay will be competitive in the World," he said.

In addition, he stated that they must "improve" on the offensive side without Robert Lewandowski. "And we must also improve the free kicks, shoot more from outside the area... Everyone must contribute goals. We have to focus better and decide better when we reach the three-quarter zone. We have to improve the scoring ability of those at the top," he said. .

Lastly, he acknowledged that Barça and Atlético de Madrid "have reached an agreement" for the transfer-purchase of Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, but that "it is not yet official". "If there is an agreement, both parties are happy. I wish the player the best," he concluded.