Xavi Hernández appeared before the press microphones before the decisive clash against Osasuna on Sunday (4:15 p.m., Movistar LaLiga). The victory is essential if they do not want the Champions League train to stray too far. Especially after the puncture against Betis at the Camp Nou (0-1) last weekend, which left them in seventh position, six points behind Atleti, fourth. In addition, it should serve as balm to heal the wounds of the defeat against Bayern (3-0) that sent the Catalans direct to the Europa League. After this he pointed to “a new era” that will begin against those of Jagoba Arrasate in El Sadar.
Match against Osasuna: “We have a very complicated game, because Osasuna defends very well. Against larger teams, Jagoba Arrasate has defended with a line of five. We will have to find solutions. They accumulate many people in the area and have a more direct football. They concede few goals” .
‘Benaiges case’: “He has surprised us a lot because we have always had an excellent deal with Albert Benaiges. In the end, it is the justice who will have to pass sentence, but I have no news that any episode has happened. I do not have any suspicion that this has happened, although I am not saying that it has not happened. “
What do you expect from Luuk de Jong?: “He is excellent and presents different characteristics to Memphis and the forwards we have. We have to adapt to what we have and to the adverse circumstances. Luuk is one of the solutions we have in attack and we have to take advantage of it.”
Actual state: “I’m worried. This doesn’t stop. The only thing left is to continue working to the maximum. There are things that we have improved: pressure after loss, defensive line up … But against Bayern there was a lesser Barça, today they are better.”
Transfers: “We are working. The team has to improve. Barça has to be attentive. We are talking a lot and there is good communication. It was a very productive meeting and I was very clear about what I want. We also have an economic problem, but we have to work to improve the team. “
Message to team: “This cannot happen. We must demand more commitment, dedication, professionalism. We started from scratch in training, with more demand. We started with a new Barça. This is the message to the squad.”
#Xavi #worried