Xavi on Barcelona sealing top spot despite Royal Antwerp defeat
Xavi on Barcelona sealing top spot despite Royal Antwerp defeat
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00:00 Welcome to FC Barcelona press conference.
00:07 We start with questions in Catalan.
00:17 Good evening Xavi. What do you think about the individual versions?
00:35 Today yes. I don't like to say anything bad about the players, but they have to cheer up.
00:55 They have more level than they have been showing lately. Sunday we didn't play badly.
01:05 Today we don't feel comfortable in the game. Individual mistakes cost us goals.
01:12 It's a matter of trust. We trust them, we give them a lot of chances, we rotate them.
01:24 It's a matter of being inspired. The pressure of playing for Barça is noticeable.
01:31 We have to improve. We are 100% positive. We are first in the group, we are ranked for eight years.
01:42 Then we are not good. We have to improve, we have to be self-critical.
01:50 We have to know that we have not been comfortable and that we have to do things better to get things right.
01:56 We have to improve. On Saturday we have a final, a test of fire for us to win the game.
02:03 We have to cheer up and cheer up the fans.
02:07 I have the feeling that in this game there is an unnecessary tension.
02:12 This is my feeling. Today I am happy, even if the bad feelings of the game.
02:17 Because we are in the group for eight years.
02:20 I think it's a merit of the club, of the team. Sometimes we have to remember where we come from.
02:29 Last year we were in the Europa League at this level, and two years ago the same.
02:34 We have to be self-critical, recover feelings and play better.
02:38 But having said that, we are alive. It's a moment to enjoy and think about where we came from.
02:48 We will talk about the individual, how they are and how they are feeling.
02:53 The coach said that he doesn't like to focus on individuals, at least in the public sphere.
03:05 This is something that they prefer to analyse internally.
03:08 But obviously today the sensations, the feeling is not good.
03:14 It is obvious that the individual mistakes ended up costing some goals.
03:19 At the end of the day it's a matter of confidence.
03:23 It's a matter of working on the self-confidence. They have been working on that.
03:27 They have rotated the team. But sometimes inspiration doesn't come.
03:33 There is always a pressure. This jersey is very heavy.
03:37 But they have to stay positive, to be positive.
03:40 Because the goals have been accomplished, first in the group.
03:44 Without forgetting that they need to be self-critical, because they need to improve.
03:49 On Saturday there is another very important game, another final.
03:53 But now the objective is to recover people, especially at an anemic level.
03:58 Remember also where we were last year. We were in the Europa League.
04:05 Now we are in the next round of the Champions League.
04:09 This is something that we also need to celebrate and be positive about.
04:15 Hi Xavi, Marta, Ramon.
04:17 Live from Barça playing at RAC1.
04:20 The sequence of these last days is a bit complicated.
04:24 The defeat against Girona, then these last hours around this change to the call-up.
04:31 Also because from the club it was given a lot of value to win here today in Anvers.
04:37 Two of the three who had to stay at home end up playing and you end up losing.
04:41 Seeing this sequence, where do you think this leaves you as a coach?
04:47 And how do you overcome these bad feelings that the team transmits?
04:53 Winning on Saturday.
04:55 Winning on Saturday.
04:58 And the feelings are from outside. We have no bad feeling inside.
05:05 You say, as a coach. As a coach it is a decision, I already said.
05:11 What we said is a consensual decision.
05:14 At the moment Robert comes and tells us that he is physically well to play.
05:18 I speak to him a little before to give him a break and he tells me that he is well.
05:22 That he is well, that he wants to be with the team and today we use it because it is on the list at the end.
05:27 But we decide it, the club.
05:29 It is not that the coach is in a bad position and the president in good or Deco in good or I in bad.
05:36 It is a matter of consensus.
05:38 To talk to the players about how they are physically, how they are in fatigue.
05:42 It is a group issue.
05:44 Then you can draw the conclusions or the criticism you want.
05:49 I can not control this, but from the inside we have no problem.
05:52 None.
05:53 Today we have been two hours talking to the president, Deco, in many aspects.
05:58 There is no problem.
06:01 The problem are the feelings that you do not win.
06:04 The defeat that hurts is really the Girona, not today.
06:08 Today, luckily, we are first in the group.
06:10 It is a moment of satisfaction that we are at the top of the day,
06:16 which is two years ago that we are not.
06:18 Three years ago that we were not first in the group in this competition.
06:21 It is a moment to be satisfied.
06:24 The defeat that affects is Sunday, not today.
06:29 Today the feelings have to improve, we have to improve the game.
06:32 And on Saturday we have a final to react.
06:35 I feel good, very good, positive.
06:39 There are positive things today.
06:42 We have to vote people, young people have entered and have done well.
06:45 But we have to improve, we have to be very self-critical.
06:48 We have to improve the feelings.
06:52 The question was how after such a defeat,
06:57 what can be done to improve, to change the situation.
07:02 The answer of the coach was winning.
07:05 It is the way that we need to go to change the situation.
07:09 Winning on Saturday.
07:12 And also talking about those sensations,
07:14 are mainly sensations from outside, inside the dressing room.
07:18 Those sensations do not exist.
07:21 And about the final line-up,
07:25 the answer of the coach was that it has been a common agreed decision.
07:29 We spoke with the players, he said they felt well.
07:33 So it was part of the group, so he couldn't play.
07:36 It is nothing else than a group issue.
07:39 It is something that has been commonly agreed within the club.
07:42 We have been talking indeed before the game for two hours
07:46 with the president and Deco.
07:49 And the truth is that Girona's defeat the other day was really tough.
07:54 That was a bad one, not the one today.
07:58 And again, we need to remember that it is the first time
08:01 after three years that we were not top of the group.
08:04 So this is something that we need to also celebrate.
08:07 Obviously, we need to improve our game.
08:09 And on Saturday we will have another final to react.
08:13 But today there have also been some positive things,
08:16 like many youngsters having minutes.
08:19 And obviously this is something as well to consider of this game.
08:24 - Hi Xabi, here on your left, Iusla Krendrik,
08:26 the goalkeeper of Can Acer.
08:27 You have said before that you see the criticism and doubts outside.
08:32 But defeats like today, the painful one that you said was Girona's on Sunday,
08:36 or that the team has not started yet,
08:37 to what extent do you worry that the doubts or criticism
08:40 will also move from the doors inside?
08:42 - No, no. We are confident that the team will improve,
08:47 that it will get good results from Saturday.
08:50 This will give results and they will value me,
08:53 like all coaches, for the results.
08:56 And for that we work.
08:58 I have said many times that I focus on what I can control,
09:01 on the team, on improving.
09:03 We have to be self-critical.
09:04 On Sunday we played a good game, not today.
09:06 And today is also a bad result.
09:08 But what really affects are the three points lost on Sunday.
09:12 Today's defeat is much less painful,
09:17 because in the end it gives us the classification for eighth as first in the group.
09:21 It is time to be satisfied in this competition,
09:24 because we have done our homework well.
09:26 Nothing more.
09:27 From here I focus on my work.
09:29 I have the total confidence of the president, of Deco, and nothing more.
09:34 - The question was when the criticism, the comments about the team
09:41 and the performances will start to influence the team.
09:48 The dressing room will enter.
09:50 The answer of the coach is that the team is sure that it will start to improve.
09:58 And that we have to start doing that from Saturday.
10:01 The results are the most important thing, of course.
10:04 And a coach is evaluated on that.
10:08 But the most regrettable was the defeat on Sunday.
10:13 That is the one that hurt the most.
10:15 Tonight not so much.
10:17 It is a shame that we did not get the three points.
10:19 But it was not as important as what happened on Sunday.
10:24 I know what I have to do.
10:26 I am focused on my work.
10:27 And I have the complete confidence of Deco and the president.
10:31 - Good evening, Xavi.
10:36 - Good evening.
10:38 - You see yourself capable.
10:40 You see the players, you say that you have to encourage them,
10:43 that the criticism is out.
10:45 But inside you see yourself capable.
10:47 Because it is Saturday to change the image of this team.
10:51 - Totally.
10:52 - From yesterday to today.
10:53 - Yes, we have four titles in play.
10:55 We are still in the league race.
10:58 We have to improve.
11:00 And in the Champions League we are well placed where we wanted.
11:03 We have to play the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
11:06 I am positive, I am prepared.
11:08 I am excited about this season.
11:10 Nothing changes.
11:12 Nothing changes.
11:13 Improve the feelings.
11:14 Only that.
11:15 - The question was whether the coach thinks he is still able to turn this season around.
11:21 And make something of it.
11:23 Of course, the answer of the coach is that there are still four titles in play.
11:27 The league, not only.
11:29 But also in the Champions League we are well ahead.
11:32 We did what we had to do.
11:34 And that is finish first.
11:36 In the competition it has to get even better.
11:38 But the Copa del Rey is coming.
11:40 It has to start.
11:41 And in the Super Cup we are also still able to win.
11:44 So I have a good feeling about what is yet to come.
11:47 - Hi Xavi.
11:50 I am Antonio from the newspaper Polar.
11:52 Let me be a bit direct.
11:54 But speaking of the previous one.
11:57 Yesterday in the press conference you said that the decision to change the call was consensual.
12:05 Deco today said that it is not.
12:08 That it is not consensual.
12:10 And that this is the coach's decision.
12:12 Is it consensual or not?
12:15 - Yes, with Deco and the president.
12:17 We are in permanent communication.
12:20 And the last decision in terms of the list is mine.
12:26 It is clear.
12:27 But speaking with them, speaking with the players.
12:30 And in the end I have to decide.
12:32 With the list issue, the coach decides.
12:36 There is no other.
12:38 You are generating controversy where there is none.
12:43 Really.
12:44 In the game, yes.
12:45 We have to improve.
12:47 We have to accept the criticism.
12:49 Especially of the defeat on Sunday.
12:51 Today, obviously, too.
12:52 And it has to get better.
12:54 But the criticism of everything you are generating, for me, it makes no sense.
12:59 - Yes, it was actually a common decision.
13:04 Made together with the president and Deco.
13:06 Obviously, as a coach, I will always have the final decision on the list.
13:12 But it was a common agreement inside the club.
13:18 Obviously, there is a lot of noise.
13:22 But for us, we need to focus on improving.
13:25 We know that.
13:26 But as I said, the noise is outside the dressing room.
13:31 Santi.
13:32 Hi. I wanted to follow up with Santi Jimenez from El Diarias.
13:38 You said that there was an unnecessary tension regarding this game.
13:43 Who created it?
13:46 Or who do you think created it?
13:48 And if it affects the players to be able to start the game?
13:53 You said that they would come out very angry.
13:55 And in fact, the first 25 minutes came out like a flame.
13:58 Yes, we didn't do well.
14:01 And that's what we need to focus on.
14:03 I think that an unnecessary tension has been created regarding the list of players.
14:09 It changes because we talk about it with everyone, especially with the players.
14:14 The players want to come, they want to travel, they want to be with the team after the defeat.
14:19 And from here, we agree with the president, with Deco, and we change the list.
14:25 There's nothing else. There's no more history.
14:28 From here, we don't play a good game.
14:31 We don't feel good, we have to improve a lot in the game.
14:35 But it's a defeat that's not painful.
14:39 Today we have to be satisfied that we did well in this competition.
14:45 But we talk about things that have nothing to do with what's really happening to us, which is the game.
14:53 Today we have to improve in the game.
14:55 We improved in the last part, we drew the game and we had the disaster of that rebound that doesn't favor us.
15:00 And we do 3-2.
15:02 But at the end of the game, the last half hour, 20 minutes, we're fine, we're together.
15:06 We generate things, inside and outside.
15:08 But we have to improve a lot to win titles this season.
15:13 Hello, good evening.
15:15 I've been questioned about this unnecessary tension that has been created around the team.
15:22 The coach answered that it is true that the team didn't start the game well.
15:30 But, and this is exactly what they need to focus on.
15:34 All the rest about that unnecessary tension that has been created about the list is something that they cannot focus on.
15:42 That decision was made together with the president and Deco.
15:48 And it was a commonly made decision.
15:52 That said, again, we didn't play well.
15:54 But I also want to highlight that it was not a painful defeat today.
16:00 Because, as I said, we accomplished the qualification for the next group.
16:06 And all the other topics discussed are not the reality of the team.
16:10 There were also, as I said, some minutes in which we had some good sensations, good moves.
16:16 And this is what we need to build on.
16:19 Hello, good evening.
16:21 What do you think of Artur Vremeren's game today?
16:24 He was better than in Barcelona and in general than in Lampard today.
16:30 Yes, they played a great game.
16:32 Especially in terms of aggressiveness, intensity, second balls.
16:36 Physically they have been spectacular.
16:40 I think they have played a very good game.
16:42 They have generated many counterattacks, many transitions that we have not been able to stop.
16:46 Jansen has also been very good in winning duels and touching face to discharge to get out with the ends.
16:53 Ivermeren has been very good in the half.
16:55 I think he has stung us many times.
16:57 They have been at a great level.
17:00 We have been below our level, but they have been very, very good.
17:06 The question was what the coach thought of Vremeren's performance and the team.
17:11 The coach's answer is that Antwerp played very aggressively, very intensively.
17:17 Good on the second ball, very physical.
17:19 Well played on the counter and Jansen has won many duels and played the ball well to the outside.
17:28 We were below our usual level and Antwerp played strong.
17:34 Good evening Xavi.
17:36 Good evening.
17:37 Paul Ballús for Diatletic.
17:39 You have said that the players are going through a bad moment of confidence since last summer.
17:44 Do you think it's the lowest point of confidence since you've been here?
17:47 Since the summer of 2022.
17:49 Since last summer?
17:52 No, I think we are above.
17:56 Last season was very hard at the beginning when we were eliminated from the Champions League.
18:01 Today we can not say that.
18:03 We can say that we are at eight.
18:05 I think we are much better, emotionally.
18:07 It is true that the performance has dropped.
18:09 For me, Sunday's defeat is what it weighs.
18:14 I think it's a defeat that hurts us and we have to react.
18:19 We have to react from Saturday.
18:21 Today is not a painful defeat because we are top of the group, we are at eight.
18:24 I think it's not the worst moment.
18:27 That's why I say that an unnecessary tension has been generated because we are very good in this competition,
18:33 which is the Champions League, which was the pending club's signature in the last two years.
18:38 We have overcome it.
18:40 There is still the League, there is still the Cup, there is still the Super Cup.
18:42 Therefore, tensions are generated that do not make sense.
18:50 I was asked if this is the lowest moment in terms of confidence by the team.
18:57 The coach has answered no.
18:59 We need to remember that the beginning of the season last year was really tough.
19:05 At this point, we were eliminated from the Champions League.
19:09 This is something that did not happen now.
19:13 Obviously, the performance of the group went down.
19:17 But as I said, last Sunday was a much more painful defeat against Girona.
19:24 Because today we need to remember that despite the defeat, we have achieved the next round of the Champions League,
19:30 which is something really important.
19:32 That's why I think that there is a bit of unnecessary noise around the team.
19:41 And we are still fighting for the rest of the competitions.
19:45 Thank you. Good night.
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