There are nine games left for the League to end. Nine finals in the eyes of Xavi Hernández, who wants his FC Barcelona to become a recognizable team again after three consecutive games without winning, two of them in domestic competition. The first final will be against Atlético de Madrid, a team that has gone 12 consecutive games without losing. "Tomorrow will be a difficult game, Atlético is now the best team in the category, Griezmann is in great form, De Paul himself. Simeone is doing a great job, they have recovered very well after the elimination from the Champions League ", warned the technician. "We must be recognizable again. The League is going for us. It is a perfect moment to say we are here. If we lose this League it will be our fault", he sentenced.
To face Atlético, Xavi recovers Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, two key players. Essential in his scheme. "They are perfect. "They can change a game. We will see who comes out first and who does it later", said Xavi.
The next to reappear will be Ousmane Dembélé who is already training with the group. "If he doesn't play on Wednesday against Rayo Vallecano, it will be on Saturday against Betis.
Andreas Christensen, who has already spent two training sessions on the pitch, still alone, and Sergi Roberto, who will not reappear until the end of May, are still out. On the other hand, the young Lamine Yamal, only 15 years old, makes his debut in a call. The cadet is already Barça history by becoming the youngest player to make a first-team list. "He is a talented player. He has a lot of personality, he has one on one, the last pass, I am convinced that he can help us. I have spoken with him and he is grateful", said Xavi.
Born in Mataró, Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana has played all season with Juvenil A. He has never made any squad with Barça Atlètic. He has not even trained under the orders of Rafa Márquez. Xavi, who does not look at the DNI, explained that "Lamine is different, just as Pedri reminds me of Andres, Lamine has things from many players. The difference from that of my stage is tremendous impudence. He is not afraid at all. He has done training wonderful. I would highlight that, that he has no fear, but I don't see him similar to anyone," he said.
The soccer player, represented by Jorge Mendes, ends his contract at the end of the season. In the offices, work is already underway to renew him and grant him his first contract as a professional. If all goes well, he will do the preseason with Xavi's men. "I liked what I've seen and we believe that it can be useful for the first team. We believe that it can be useful despite his age", added the coach.
The match against Atlético de Madrid will once again be at 4:15 p.m. A schedule that Xavi already made clear after the game against Getafe that he does not like. Just like the dry fields. "The sun bothers us, the dry course does not benefit us, neither us nor the rival. I am not going to stop until there is an equal standard for everyone. In golf, if the grass is not good, you do not play. In the basketball, if Lebron James falls, he mops. The excuse is not the result. I also say it when I win. If we want a show, we'll take care of it, if not then we wonder why the kids disconnect. I don't care what make me 200,000 more memes, I'll say it the same, I'll think the same," he said.
Xavi was seen to be especially relaxed with the Negreira case. This week has been one of explanations and possible reconciliations. Two months after the outbreak of the matter, the president Joan Laporta began the corresponding round of arguments. He began by appearing before the media in Barcelona on Monday. He continued giving his version on Wednesday at the Extraordinary Assembly of LaLiga Clubs in Madrid. And he ended up in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, on Thursday to meet UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. In his opinion, the meeting with the latter ended with good feelings. Enough to think that Barcelona will not be expelled from continental competitions without a conviction. "The president has told me that everything is OK, that there is no concern. He gives us a lot of confidence so I am very calm," said the coach.
