Xavi, on the expulsion of Vitor Roque: “We are paying for the Negreira case”

2024-02-03 19:14:11

The expulsion of Victor Roque He scored the game against Alavés. Not so much because of the result, since Tigrinho was already in charge of scoring as soon as he entered the field, but rather because of aggravating a controversy that has been shaking up the League for weeks. Arbitration and its puzzling decisions. The second yellow card (which caused the Brazilian to be sent off) drove Xavi crazy, and he couldn’t believe from his technical area that the striker was sanctioned. “We are going to appeal Vitor Roque’s second yellow card, it is clear that it is a mistake, another mistake towards us. Is very unjust expulsion“, he declared when the game ended.

“I only ask that they let us compete, I only ask this. I’m not going to say more, I’m not going to talk more about the referees, who then everything turns against us, but they let us compete. It’s another glaring mistake.. We’ve been like this all season, I already told. I think that We are paying for the Negreira case, there is no doubt. That’s the truth, that’s how I live it. I’m never going to talk about the referees again,” Xavi said in a press conference that he marked as the last one in which he will speak out about the refereeing actions. “There’s no need for me to say it, otherwise you’ll kill me. What am I going to tell you? A lie? It’s a new mistake, again.”

Xavi wanted reaction after his announcement. He trusted that his decision to leave the culé bench once the season ended had to take pressure off the players. It is still early to say a definitive change in dynamics, but since then Barça has won two victories in two games. “Today we have been a mature team and we have known how to compete. The conceded goal gave me a lot of courage. “It’s the reaction I expected from the team“, confessed the Terrassa coach. “Winning is always positive. Two victories after the decision, which I already said was necessary. This match was very competitive and it is a very important victory. It was a tough game and the team did very well with the ball. This match strengthens us,” added the coach.

“He team was aware that we had to recover what were our strengths last year, which was to defend together and compete. No matter how much talent we have, we play against teams that are also good and have soul. And today we had soul,” commented Jules Koundé once the meeting was over. “In general terms we have controlled the game“said the Frenchman.

The prominence of young people

Xavi wanted to focus on two names from the match against Alavés. “Lamine has a beastly talent. At 16 years old. Very few appear in these conditions. How he works, how he fights, how he helps the side… If I don’t give him the bracelet… he’s already been a starter. He has no roof. We have made a specific plan with him. Make differences. We are facing something special. I highlight how he competes, he doesn’t get tired. He does many kilometers at high intensity. It goes the other way. I’m very happy. He has defensive humility“, the Barça coach was full of praise.

He also wanted to highlight Cubarsí after the meeting. “We were joking, he looked like he was I don’t know how old. He looks like a veteraneither. He is aggressive, he doesn’t lose balls, his ball delivery…” In addition to the victory, Barça leaves Mendizorrotza without injuries, despite the scare with Gundogan. “There is no injury, it’s a blow to the back, today we leave without injuries…, we changed Pedri due to fatigue.”