Barcelona's victory in Paris last Wednesday is almost a title for the culé fans. Barcelona has been, since then, a Barça party for fans young and old. The schoolyards are full of boys and girls playing with the Barcelona shirt. And the clubs close with the culé anthem. The “tenim un nom que el sap tothom” travels at the speed of light.
They don't lack reasons. The team is one step away from qualifying for the Champions League semi-finals. And, although the top European competition is the priority because Barcelona depends on itself, Xavi, his players and the club still think that the League is possible. The duel against Real Madrid in the Bernabéu classic on April 21 is another date marked in red. “But first we have to win in Cádiz. If we don't win, the classic will be of little use. But I understand the euphoria of the people, this state of mind is much better,” said Xavi. Savoring the moment. Convinced that announcing his goodbye has been the key that activated his plan. “My decision is not going to change. We are all calmer knowing that there is an expiration date. “Everything has improved,” he insisted.
The numbers prove him right. Since he announced his delayed resignation after the defeat against Villarreal in January, his team has stopped going downhill without brakes. He has 12 games without losing, he is still alive in the Champions League and the players have taken a step forward. Aware that the focus was shifting to them. “Football belongs to the footballers. They are the ones who play,” said Xavi who recognizes that he has enjoyed the bench again.
Meanwhile, in the entity's offices, the sports leadership chaired by Laporta does not lose hope of convincing him to stay. The president's shield and the team's role have helped silence dissident voices with Xavi. Is there a list of candidates with names like Flick, Márquez and even Luis Enrique in case he doesn't stay? Yes. But nothing has been activated. And Laporta is expected to have a conversation with Xavi after the games against PSG and Real Madrid. Xavi's decision, difficult to revoke, depends largely on the results but also on the project for the coming year.
“But the League is over if we don't win in Cádiz. They have only lost one game in the last five and have beaten Atlético at home. “They are a very aggressive, orderly team that is risking their lives,” he warned about rival Xavi, who will be very attentive to what happens beforehand in the match between Mallorca and Madrid. Yes, he is clear that he will not decide the eleven that will appear in Cádiz based on what happens in Son Moix. “Only fatigue, discomfort and sanctions will count,” he stressed. With Lewandowski, Iñigo Martínez and Cancelo reprimanded; Romeu, Christensen and Gündogan warned; and the fatigue of players like Koundé or Araújo after the effort in Paris, Xavi has planned several rotations. Yes, Christensen and Sergi Roberto will start, sanctioned for the European return in Montjuïc, although the Dane will delay his position at the axis of the defense along with Cubarsí. The minutes of Pedri and De Jong will also be managed, who returned to play in Paris after a month and seven days injured.
Xavi, who will call up Mika Faye, the reserve team's centre-back, is considering giving Gündogan a rest. “He is not a teenager. He has played everything with a brutal performance,” he said of the 33-year-old German. On the other hand, Vitor Roque will play. “He has an innate quality. We have focused on improving his movements. In Cádiz, I'm sure he has minutes,” said the Brazilian's coach, unprecedented in the Champions League, and that since he arrived in January he has only played 248 minutes between the League and the Copa del Rey.
