While FC Barcelona will seek to retain their leading position tomorrow evening when they host Celta Vigo, Xavi Hernandez has confirmed an agreement for the departure of Antoine Griezmann and has returned quickly to the defeat against Inter Milan in the Champions League. Words reported by Mundo Deportivo
On Griezmann
“It’s not official yet, but if there is an agreement, both parties are happy. I wish the player the best, nothing more.”
On the arbitration against Inter Milan
“From now on it’s over. We think it was an injustice and we continue to think so, but now I’m thinking about Celta. The positive thing is that we still depend on us in C1. But it’s on Celta’s turn, we want to show our best version and keep our leadership position. I’m inside the club. We talked about it too (about a potential complaint to UEFA). We decided not to. do. I am also part of the club. It was a huge feeling of injustice, but we have nothing to gain by going back on it.”
About Celtic
“Celta have nothing to do with Mallorca or Inter. They seek to be protagonists and last year we suffered. We have to impose ourselves, press them high, they have just won at Betis. It will cost us but we have to recover. It won’t be easy.”
On the forces present
“We will have the best eleven, the one we think is the best. We always look at the fatigue, the discomfort… but not because we are thinking about Inter. We want to stay leaders until the end of the season . We’ll talk about Inter later. Now we focus on Celta.”
On the latest sawtooth performance
“We have to generate more things. We were self-critical, we didn’t play good games in Mallorca or Milan, but we had to win even if we have to come up with more things. Sometimes we have to take our chance from afar or attempt individual actions”.
On the return of Frenkie de Jong
“He’s 100%, he gives us strength, divides, goes into the box, he’s generous, he reaches the box, it’s hard to see him losing balls, he gives dynamism, he can play at several places, it’s a guarantee that he is available. He can play perfectly as a central defender, we tested him in pre-season and he was up to it. But we have alternatives. There are many versatile players. But yes, that would be an option.”
On the Clasico
“We didn’t even think about the Clasico, that’s the reality. We focused on Celta, on tactical work. We want to stay leaders, but if we are not in the Clasico, it would be the same “.
About Dembele
“I’m very happy, we gave him confidence and affection and in many games he made the difference. He has to believe in it more. He has the potential to do it. He has to help us, which he does, but more. Do it in every game and every moment.”
On Pique
“He’s a very strong footballer mentally, both personally and professionally and he helps us, as much as he and the captains, they run the dressing room. I’ve said it before, they will be important and they have to be. when you need it”.
About Araujo
“Ronald is in full recovery. He is a warrior and he is not going to sink. The other day he was motivating the team. If anyone can shorten the times, it is surely Ronald. He will surely be very competitive in the World Cup. And he can go as far as 2010.”
About Jutgla
“I’m very happy for Ferran. We know him and we knew him and when he played he played. It was an opportunity for him, it would have been difficult to play for him, we have Lewandowski. We don’t rule out nothing for the future”.
