For Barça, every game is like a birth with complications. There comes a time when almost no one expects anything other than suffering and agony until the end. It doesn't matter the rival, the competition or the venue. Whether it's the League, the Champions League, the Cup or the Super Cup. Whether Antwerp, Montjuïc, Las Palmas, Barbastro or Riyadh. Barça flies low and lands as best they can. He makes ends meet and lives from day to day, always having difficulty making ends meet. Despite this, Xavi showed a more serene and optimistic face this Wednesday than in previous meetings. He was a more football-loving Xavi, more in line with his lifelong image. And that was also transmitted in the speech of the always serious and committed Ronald Araújo, in the bowels of the Príncipe Faisal stadium, where Barça exercised before seeking qualification for the Super Cup final this Thursday (8:00 p.m.) against Osasuna.
“I think we are meeting again and we just need that click to confirm it. I hope that the Super Cup serves as a turning point, like last season, which suited us wonderfully,” said the Blaugrana coach.
Despite everything, the Blaugrana team, defending the title, is the great favorite and even more so considering that the Navarrese team has lost part of the energy that it showed last season. Of course, since Barcelona has not imposed itself on anyone with authority since September, that feeds the faith of its opponents. “I aim to win both the semi-final and the final by one goal. I am more concerned about other things like being more forceful, especially in our area. We have to give away less,” reasoned the Blaugrana coach.
Starting with Xavi, all Barcelona fans know that the Blaugrana's game is deficient and must improve, but what Barcelona cannot spare is not even a minute of effort in a match that has no return. Either he takes it forward or goes home. Oasis or desert. Yes, just one Super Cup. But the super cups are the devil's fault, especially if the dynamics are not positive. To put on the work overalls, there is no one like Araújo. Barça has to use its spirit. The Uruguayan has not been entirely correct in recent weeks, especially uncomfortable with the mask with which he protected his face, but no one beats him in terms of attitude and mentality. “Because of my way of being, sometimes I try to do more than what I have to and I go up. “I try to infect the team with my spirit and my strength.”
At 24 years old, he is already one of the leaders and captains of the Blaugrana locker room and, if his injuries are spared, he will be in the elite for the next decade. That is why Bayern has knocked on his door insistently and is bidding hard for the Uruguayan, with a contract with Barcelona until 2026. Although at the moment he is only thinking about his future as a Barcelona player, starting with the challenge of the Super Cup, the tournament where he proclaimed the last season that “a new era began”, the Blaugrana. “I am focused on Barça, I show it every time I wear this shirt and every time I wear the armband.”
Whenever he has been physically fit, Xavi has put him on the field, whether in the center of the defense or leaning to the right. The coach would like all of his players to have his drive and his impeccable attitude.
Starting with João Félix, who lost the starting job in Las Palmas after his spectral match against Almería. At least for the Portuguese, Osasuna brings back good memories. He has beaten them in the six League games in which they have faced the Pamplona team and has scored five goals. Barça, which does not have an abundance of talent, would need a good talent from João Félix. Let's see if the proximity of a title stimulates his motivation, if Xavi has not already completely despaired of him. “It's going to be important,” commented the coach.
The Blaugrana coach took the injured Pedri, Cancelo and Iñigo Martínez to Saudi Arabia. “We are more optimistic with Pedri, he has been doing well for days. Cancelo has it more complicated and as for Iñigo Martínez he is practically ruled out,” said Xavi.
Barça plans to incorporate President Laporta into its expedition this Thursday, who has been away from the club's activity in recent days due to a family matter. The leader hopes for a good version of the team and that the tournament helps fill the club's needy coffers. Barça charges a fixed fee of six million, which will be seven if they are a finalist and 7.5 if they revalidate the title. First, Osasuna. The cliché of there being no small enemy is fulfilled to the letter with the Blaugrana team. In his current situation he has no choice but to give it his all. Only then is it enough.
