When Xavi Hernández landed on the Barcelona bench in November 2021, his Barcelona was ninth in the League with 16 points. And although he never regretted coming home, it is just as true that the football and economic vacuum that he found himself, starting with the homegrown players themselves and continuing with the lack of budget to sign, were disconcerting to him.
A year and a half after his return as coach, Xavi finally smells the League, the tournament of regularity to which he has always paid full attention. Barça will not reach 100 points with him but it is based on other types of values such as his historic defensive reliability (24 clean sheets, a club record). The one from Terrassa breathes easier while the offices are already talking about renewing him beyond 2024. “Now I enjoy. Especially since January”, the coach confessed, making it clear before the game against Osasuna that the victory against Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup was a turning point. “But we need to win the League. The club, the coaching staff, the players... we all love her", stressed Xavi who has already taken out the calculator.
Eight points in six days are what the Barça team needs to add to mathematically seal the championship. That or win against Osasuna, with their heads set on the Cup, and wait for a puncture from Real Madrid at Anoeta. In that case, the League could be decided on May 14 at the RCDE Stadium against Espanyol who is fighting for permanence. “We want to win it as soon as possible. And if it fits in Cornellà we can't choose”, stressed a Xavi who has also learned to deal with criticism. Before the voices that try to discredit the validity of the imminent conquest, Xavi also has an answer. "It won't be a miracle to win this League, we have competed very well," he said.
But there is something else. "We are still under construction," recalled Xavi, who, beyond winning the domestic championship, wants to end the season with a good footballing taste in his mouth. There are still aspects to improve, such as Barça's performance in knockout tournaments or offensive forcefulness. "Even if we win the League, the games that remain will be important," Xavi launched in a clear message to his players so that they continue to demonstrate their abilities before facing a summer that Mateu Alemany, director of football, described as "interesting."
The long-term goal is to compete for everything again. Start with the League to continue with Europe. Personally, Xavi is clear about the model to follow. “Manchester City is the best team in the world. They are our mirror. They also have the best coach in the world ”, he pointed out in reference to Pep Guardiola.
And what about your Barça, what does it have?, he was asked. “There are no individuals above anyone. We have been a block, a team, a family”, summarized Xavi. In this process, the coach has made eleven footballers debut. The last one, Lamine Yamal, is the youngest. And Xavi believes that he will have no problem managing the career of the 15-year-old winger, who is almost ready for his first contract as a professional footballer when he turns 16 on July 13. “I don't see fear on Lamine Yamal's face. He has his mind set on succeeding at Barça. The same as Balde or Gavi”, indicated Xavi.
Before moving on to the chapter on renewals and transfers, the future League champion will face the aspiring Copa del Rey champion today. "This Saturday they have the most important game in their history against Madrid," said Xavi. When they asked him who he prefers to win the cup tournament, he gave him a mischievous smile. "What do you think?" He replied. Saying nothing, he said it all.
