More than 15 hours after the FC Barcelona coach, The president went to the locker room this Sunday morning to meet the footballers, also inform them of the situation and to try to encourage them. Laporta affirms that he agreed to the coach's deferred departure because of who he is, a character of great importance in the history of Barcelona.
“He told me that he was leaving at the end of the season and that he wanted to finish it. I accept it because it is Xavi who proposes it to me,” says the leader. Laporta adds: “He is a legend of Barcelona fans, he is honest, acts with dignity and loves Barça. That's why I can accept it because the commitment will be the maximum."
In relation to the sporting objectives that remain for the team after losing the Super Cup and the Cup and practically squandering its chances of winning the League, Laporta says that he does not rule out still fighting for the championship and, above all, fighting for the Champions League. "The League is difficult, but it is not lost, obviously. We do not rule out winning it, although we have to finish as best as possible. We have to do everything we have to try to win the Champions League. We have the tie with Naples and we are going step by step, "with optimism plus character, without losing concentration and with the coach giving everything. I know that with the players, fully committed, we will be able to achieve some of the objectives we set for ourselves," he says.
The president asked for the unity of Barcelona fans. “This situation is not pleasant for anyone, but it requires the moment of maximum unity for everyone. The club is under control in the institutional, economic and social aspects, in sports it is true that this season things are not going as planned. We had just won a great League and the Super Cup and with an improved squad we had better expectations that are not being met. But we have to overcome this situation.”
Laporta applauded the fans' support and urged them to continue giving that encouragement for the remainder of the season, starting with the Barça-Osasuna match on Wednesday in Montjuic. “I want to give a message to the culés. Think that this season was complicated, we already knew it. We have gone to Montjuic and at the end of the year we will return to the Camp Nou if there are no unforeseen events. In principle, everything is going according to plan. I want to thank you for your commitment to the club and the team. The fans respond.” Laporta praises the public's reaction despite the defeat against Villarreal. “We had the second best entrance of the entire season against Villarreal, encouraging the team in moments of maximum difficulty. I ask them to be against Osasuna again, because this team and the club deserve it. The fans show every game that they love Barça and I ask you to continue cheering for the team. We know the difficulty but the players need your support. I ask you to return to Osasuna because with your support this team can reverse the situation. "I want to thank all the support this season because the culés show that they are the best fans in the world."
