Xavi Hernández breathed a sigh of relief when his Barça passed the first litmus test against Porto in the Champions League. And he drew more than a smile just a week ago when he finally found the long-awaited key to win by convincing a good Atlético de Madrid. “You have played the best game of the season. But we have to give it continuity,” Xavi told his players in the talk they had on Monday. Cradled by the culé philosophy, the coach is one of those who think that victory is always closer when you go out and enjoy. Against Girona, with a clearer mind due to the results he has achieved, Xavi wants to continue adding his beloved “peace of mind vouchers”.
It is true that doses of optimism are a classic in the coach's previous appearances. But with all these ingredients, Xavi did not take long to convey the comforting state in which he found himself before the match. Transiting between the tranquility and euphoria that challenges provide. Occupying his chair with self-esteem higher than ever. Convinced that in this week without games, he has been able to work with his players on all the technical variants presented by Míchel's Girona, the co-leading team in the League with four points ahead of his Barça.
“A lot of people are surprised that they are leaders. But not to us. It is a very dynamic team. His ability to overcome and have the ball is admirable. Míchel is doing a great job,” said the coach. His words distilled that he does not see this Girona as a nice little brother at all, but rather as a rival to beat. “They can win the League perfectly,” he warned.
For the first time in many weeks, Xavi did not have to answer any questions in case he suffers for his future or if he feels that he is constantly under scrutiny. And that is also news. However, that does not mean that he feels that pressure to seek total victory. Not that he doesn't know what he's facing. Although the course is long, neither he nor anyone from the club wants to stay seven points behind Girona in the fight for the League.
The feeling is that the coach is very clear about his plan. The plan of a proud current League champion. “We have proposed several scenarios. Last year in Montilivi they locked themselves in and here they attacked. We also know that this course has more individualities,” Xavi analyzed. “We will vary little,” he added, implying that there will be hardly any changes to the eleven beyond deciding whether it will be Araújo with a superhero mask to take care of the broken jaw or Koundé who will occupy the right back and assuming that Christensen will be in the eleven against the losses of Iñigo Martínez and Marcos Alonso. Because why do you have to change what already works? Under this logical analysis, it does not seem that Xavi is going to line up the former Girona player, Oriol Romeu, the only player that Barcelona invested in in the summer. “I would tell those who play less not to give up. I use Iñaki Peña as an example,” Xavi explained that, after Ter Stegen's operation, he declared that the club will not sign any goalkeeper in the winter transfer market.
Laporta does have it in his mind to invest in João Félix and João Cancelo in the summer, on loan from Atlético de Madrid and Manchester City. “Whatever the president says goes to mass,” said Xavi, who always transmits that confidence that the president values so much. “The Joãos are happy and have adapted very well to the team,” he added. Let them tell Atlético, that although they do not plan to recover João Félix, they did regret the goal he scored in Montjuïc.
Barcelona – Xavi the first – wanted to avoid at all costs that the transfers of Pablo Torre and Eric Garcia to Girona could suffer the same bill and therefore in the negotiation they wanted to introduce the famous fear clause. He managed it halfway. “Eric doesn't have it because his transfer was closed at the last minute and it wasn't possible. He will be extra motivated,” he lamented. “But playing with Barça is not the same as playing with Girona. The pressure is different,” he highlighted. A good message that may reach Aleix Garcia, the captain of Girona. “He said he would like to play here. I think he has a level. You have to understand him. “Who wouldn't like to play for a big team?” sighed Xavi. He continues to miss the adrenaline of wearing the shirt of the club of his life.
