Barça generates controversies even unintentionally. A coach like Luis Enrique, who usually accuses the press of provoking invented conflicts, was comfortable yesterday sitting in the press room of the modern PSG campus, located on the outskirts of Paris, that is, very far away. The journalists went there and it was there where they were shocked. Who better represents Barça's style, Xavi or you? an Italian colleague asked the Asturian. The response, far from following the guidelines of usual diplomacy in these cases, and even more so in the case of supposed friends, was harsh until it was reminiscent of sandpaper. “Look at the statistics, in possession, in high pressure, in titles. I represent him, without a doubt,” he said.
Minutes before another response already served as a clue to know where the shots would go. They asked Luis Enrique for his opinion about the coach Xavi, and the man was not very affectionate. “I'm sorry to puncture your balloon, I don't know coach Xavi. I know him as a fan like you. I had him as a teammate with me as captain and I trained him as a coach, but I could only tell you about him as a coach what I see on television.” Not a word of affection, then, and the statistics used as a weapon of ignorance. (Clarification: Luis Enrique wins in titles but in the other statistics they are even).
Xavi Hernández did not feel too well about Luis Enrique's statements, but he hid it in the press room, knowing that a fire would favor his colleague since relations between both clubs are not good and the first leg is in Paris. . His tone was conciliatory when it was his turn to appear before the media.
“I have followed his press conference, yes. What am I going to say, it's Luis Enrique. I have a very good relationship with him and for my part there is no controversy. Ask him again. Both he and Guardiola, like me and even Arteta represent the Barça DNA as coaches, which makes us so proud. “All of us are looking for the same thing, we see football in a global way because we were all midfielders, so in my opinion there is no need to compete with each other,” he said, appearing to have an effortful attitude of calm.
The coach was asked how he remembered his last season as a player at Barça (2014-15) in which he was under Luis Enrique, looking for the possible root of the Asturian's surprising statements: “It was a strange year and difficult at first (he was a substitute), then he straightened out and I ended up lifting the Champions League. I have a good relationship with him,” he insisted.
Xavi was more vindictive when it was mentioned to him that Luis Enrique was labeled a victim and not a favorite. “They have five Champions Leagues and we have none,” the PSG coach had said in the morning. This is how Xavi counterattacked: “I remember our last Champions League because I raised it as a player quite a few years ago, but what I do know is that this summer they signed Dembélé for us, so they are the favorites. Luis Enrique is one of the best coaches in the world and he has a team made to win the Champions League. Believe me, I know the Qataris well and what their ambition is.”
Xavi, increasingly uncomfortable with the comparison with Luis Enrique, focused the press conference on other aspects: “I face the tie with motivation and responsibility but not as something personal, it is Barça who is competing, not me. The decisive hour of the season has arrived. We have a very good locker room, with a great relationship between the players. The older players who have already won this competition are helping the young people a lot. I am delighted".
Luis Enrique, self-conscious and energetic, also wanted to make it clear that his speech revolves around optimism. It is at these moments of the season when the coach, in line with his teams, usually grows. His team hasn't lost in 27 games and it shows. “This match comes to us at the best mental, physical and football moment,” he highlighted. And he reserved the flowers he spared Xavi for his former club: “My relationship with Barça is one of total love but before everything is my profession.” And there, from what we see, winning is well worth starting a new battle. Overall, at Barça there are so many...
