Zapping World Eleven EXCLUDED: Christopher Nkunku’s “Little Brother” interview!
Tomorrow evening, FC Barcelona travels to the lawn of Majorca with the firm intention of pocketing the three points in order to temporarily regain the place of leader of the championship. Xavi Hernandez was therefore at a press conference this afternoon. Discover the highlights of his speech in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.
On the game against Mallorca
“It’s a difficult game, away from home. Mallorca are a very strong team defensively with three very strong central defenders, they play a lot in the corridors with a direct game. It will not be easy while in addition the truce international cost us a lot of players. I can only think of beating Mallorca tomorrow, a tough rival, with soul and personality, linked to their coach, Javier Aguirre, who score points against important rivals.”
On Ousmane Dembele
“Dembele is fine, he can play without problems.”
On the wounds
“It frustrates me, yes, but you have to look forward. We don’t know the main factor. Travel, methodology, loads of matches… It’s not about trying to blame someone. It’s is a whole unfortunately. It’s time to show that we have a great team.”
On the right-back position
“We have a lot of options, let’s see how Sergi Roberto is with his Achilles heel, Marc Casadó is an option even though he is a starting left-back. Marc Casadó is versatile, he has a soul and he competes well. He has character, which is very good for a coach. I like his profile and that’s why he’s with us.”
On the calendar overloaded with the selections
“A good solution is a month and a half for the national teams and the rest for the clubs, it’s a FIFA plan that I see as good. There are 12 games left before the World Cup, 8 in La Liga and 4 in Champions League. They will be transcendent, in Europe it is clear. In the League they will not be final, but they will be transcendent. The calendar is organized like that and we must adapt. We have not decided. At the Congress of coaches, we will take it up again.”
On her relationship with Luis Enrique
“With Luis Enrique I had contact without further delay, we were teammates, he trained me… We are in contact with all the coaches, but despite everything there were injuries. With Spain that was not like that, we have similar working methods.”
About Busquets
“Busquets has already said he will decide at the end of the season if he continues, I guess he will take stock. For me it is very important.”
On upcoming matches
“All games are demanding. And the left-back depends on every moment. Some midfielders could adapt, like Frenkie or Gavi, but I see more of a defensive profile in this demarcation. Everyone will play. The five defenders centers that I have are guarantees.”
About Ansu Fati
“These days when we trained (during the break), Ansu was faultless. Another player would have collapsed after not going with the national team but he preferred to rebel.”
