Barcelona lands at the Bernabéu showing leadership in the League but after the moral blow that the elimination in the Champions League caused after the draw against Inter. The azulgranas are looking for a victory that will allow them to recover their morale and maintain first place in the league table. Xavi Hernandez He appeared to give his impressions 24 hours after the game and referred to the game at the Bernabéu last year: «It can serve as a reference to be brave, have possessions in the rival field… They feel comfortable in a low and medium block to go out on the counter but we also have to be in a block and attack in a compact way. It’s what we like. We have to have personality. We arrived at a better time in the League than last year and we have to take advantage of it.”
The technician asked for patience and confidence in what they are doing. «There are three points and it is important to come out reinforced from a classic. It is a vital game for us and for Madrid, for see who is leading. But it is early to assess the project. We are under construction. The debacle against Inter leaves us sad but we have to keep believing in the project because we’re on the right track. We are better than last year and in the league we are doing very well. We have scored 20 goals and have only conceded one. The note, at the end of the season. The project has just started and now we can’t destroy everything. You have to be patient. There are more competitions apart from Europe.”
Xavi puts the way of playing before the results and was surprised that he does not contemplate winning by playing badly: «I would not sign to win playing in any way. The objective is win by playing well. The victory against Celta would not be the example, that we won playing badly. Playing well is the way we believe, being protagonists, attacking in the best possible way and the consequence is winning. We try not to analyze based on the result, which is what it costs, but people are very resultist, which is normal. We are working well and the fruits will come.”
The good news is that the team will be able to count on Koundé that “it’s fine, one hundred percent, with very good feelings, it’s available and we’ll see tomorrow.” The coach added: «I like to play against Madrid, I’m very competitive. I would like to be a footballer to be able to continue playing these types of games. If you want to be a footballer in these types of games where you have to measure up and as a coach as well.
The technician was asked if Busquets is untouchable: “It is important. We didn’t have the best second half, we split and the midfielders especially, Busi, suffer. Untouchable? Everyone has to be prepared to participate always. And he defended the captains, who this season are under scrutiny: “I try to read little, because I know about this club and everything will be doubted. I try to focus on work and tomorrow’s game. I don’t know if it’s fair or unfair. We tied a game that we shouldn’t have and criticism will come, we are Barça. But you do not have to be aware of the noise from outside or the environment ».
Xavi believes that he has the key to stop vinicius, perhaps the Madrid player who is fitter. “There are options. We will decide tomorrow. Not only Vinicius, it’s Benzema, if Valverde plays, Rodrygo… he’s a great match, we’ll see the pair of central defenders. It is not stopping Vinicius but stopping Madrid as a group », he pointed out. And he stressed that he hopes that the team is mentally recovered: «Hopefully it will not have consequences for tomorrow’s game. We are too disappointed. The party went to us by details. There was a lot of expectation but I still see the team committed and we have to keep working. We are in October and it is very early.
The Egarense justified his optimism: «We have improved since we took the team. At the level of results, the pity is the downturn with Inter, because we were doing well. We are leaders in the league, without losing and the season makes me remain optimistic. I know where I am and I will not stop working and insisting on what we are doing. When I don’t see it clearly I’ll go home, but at the moment I see it well and I am optimistic. I won’t be a problem for Barça the day I think I’m not a solution.”