For Xavi Hernández, the Blaugrana victory against Naples tasted like glory. To vent. To release. Finally, four years later, an earthy Barça full of youth is already among the eight best teams in Europe. “I am very happy. We played a complete game. We emptied ourselves, we dominated a large part of the game. I'm proud. I said the players would step forward with my decision to leave. We are among the eight best teams in Europe,” insisted Xavi, who, once again, was grateful that the fans chanted his name and asked him to stay. “Today nothing changes,” Xavi insisted.
The coach went through a real roller coaster of emotions. He did not want to go overboard in Fermín's 1-0 celebration. After hugging him, he took advantage of the first moment of euphoria to talk to the fourth referee and convey his doubts with the performance of the Dutch referee Danny Makkelie. Another classic from the technician. In the 17th minute he couldn't help but let himself go with Cancelo's 2-0. But it was with Lewandowski's 3-1 when he raised his fist and euphorically hugged his brother and his second coach, Òscar Hernández. Also to Sergio Alegre, one of his assistants. Along the way, he starred in another moment of happiness with Dr. Ricard Pruna. “We have received a lot of criticism. It has been said that Barça was the jester of the Champions League. But tonight we bordered on excellent and I think it was enjoyed. We have to remember where we come from, two years of Europa League. What do we do with the jester now? I have told the players to calm down,” he stressed.
The coach is clear that his commitment to youth will be his legacy. But yesterday he highlighted Cubarsí. “He has pause, a mentality to generate attacking plays, he links well with the interiors... he is enormous,” said the coach about the 17-year-old youth squad who, in his debut in the Champions League, was considered the best of the game
The board celebrated the classification in privacy, in the adjoining room reserved for them as if it were a title. They didn't fly canapés this time. Yes hugs. And precisely the performances of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí were the most talked about of the night. “They are going to mark an era,” commented Laporta, who also internally valued the performances of Sergi Roberto and Gündogan. Xavi's work was also valued. Not only for the sports part. Also for economic reasons. Yesterday the club secured another 15 million in income after the transfer. “Everything was important, we had to meet the budget,” acknowledged Rafa Yuste, sports vice president at Movistar and one of the managers closest to Xavi. “I respect Xavi and his decision. But I really like Xavi Hernández. We'll see,” Yuste said.
