Xavi: "It's normal to lower the intensity, we've played a lot of games and we're tired"

Xavi Hernández ended up satisfied "in general terms" with his pupils, "especially with the first part", although he regretted the dangerous arrivals of Cádiz at the end.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
19 February 2023 Sunday 16:27
6 Reads
Xavi: "It's normal to lower the intensity, we've played a lot of games and we're tired"

Xavi Hernández ended up satisfied "in general terms" with his pupils, "especially with the first part", although he regretted the dangerous arrivals of Cádiz at the end. “They have made occasions that I have not liked. But it is normal to lower the intensity, we have played many games and we are tired", said the Blaugrana coach, who changed De Jong and Lewandowski thinking "in the accumulated minutes more than in Manchester".

"In two minutes we have put the match back on track. The first half has been good, the second we have lowered the intensity, it's normal," the man from Egar explained after the final whistle about a victory forged in the minutes of the first half, when the players arrived. goals from Sergi Roberto and Lewandowski.

The blaugrana team opened the can thanks to a great play by Ferran Torres, who after many games as a substitute took advantage of his first league start since November to vindicate himself, chosen as man of the match. "Ferran has taken an important step to gain confidence. The less usual players have been fine. People are taking advantage of the opportunities", he explained about the man from Foios, who started on the right and ended up playing on the left, a position in which he also " it's nice."

In addition to the Valencian, who in his opinion was "extraordinary", Xavi assured that the rest of the usual substitutes "deserve to play" and that throughout the season "they will be important". In particular, he defended Sergi Roberto: "He is the player who has received the most unfair criticism."

It was more complicated against Ansu Fati from Cádiz, who after signing a gray game, with several failures, went to the bench frustrated in the second half. "The forwards value themselves for the goal. We also see the defensive issue, if it is incisive in the attack plays. We are happy with Ansu. The goals will come in," the man from Terrassa defended his pupil.

"It reflects how we have been working. The team is consolidating. We are in a good moment," said Ferran Torres, especially happy to be able to demonstrate his qualities on the field: "Every time the coach gives me the opportunity I'm going to try to show it and make it difficult for the coach".

"I came from a period with few minutes. Sometimes it is difficult to show what you want due to the pressure, but we have been good. I have been working for these moments. The difficult thing is to stay. I needed this game, I hope to have continuity", he claimed Fernando Torres.

Consult all the results of the Santander League.

Check the Santander League table.