Xavi talks Vitor Roque, Cancelo, Gundogan, Roberto ahead of Barbastro vs Barcelona: “Renew his contract”

Barcelona will shift their attention from La Liga tomorrow as they take on Union Deportivo Barbastro in the Copa del Rey round of 32. The fourth tier side have already talked about taking the game to the Catalans tomorrow, and will do their best to cause an early upset.

That being said, Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey the most times in history with 31, that includes a four-tournament successive run spanning from 2015 to 2018.

Xavi, however, has only managed to win the competition thrice, despite having eight La Liga titles to his name during his tenure with the blaugranes. Tomorrow, he will start his hunt for the fourth, and first as a manager.

“These games are the ones where we have a lot to win. We have to play with all five senses. For them it will be the game of their lives,” he said speaking about the clash, as quoted by SPORT.

“We have to instill in the players that this Copa del Rey title is very important.”

“The grass of the Barbastro stadium? I’m always worried about the grass. But I’m more worried about my team. There are no excuses to be made. We have to be aggressive and match them there. You always have to show it.”

On the players: Cancelo, Yamal, Gundogan…

Xavi then provided updates on several players in the squad, starting with Joao Cancelo, who went off injured early on in the 1-2 win against Las Palmas this week.

“Cancelo is doing well, he is feeling good. He is not ruled out for the Super Cup. He is feeling very well.”

Alongside him, Barcelona will also miss Lamine Yamal tomorrow, who will be serving his suspension after picking up a red card in the Copa del Rey last season with the U-19 side.

“Lamine Yamal suspension in the Copa del Rey? He is carrying a suspension from last year’s match against Malaga youth team. He has a two-match ban.”

Alejandro Balde is another player who is on the verge of missing the game due to illness. He did not train today, but if he feels better by tomorrow, he will travel with the rest of the team, Xavi confirmed.

“Yes, Balde is ill but we will try to count on him. We will share the list in the morning waiting for Balde. He was not feeling well, but hopefully he will be on the list tomorrow.”

As for the lineup, Xavi was questioned whether he would take this chance to start Vitor Roque, who came off the bench to make his debut against Las Palmas.

“I think physically Roque needs rhythm and minutes and tomorrow he will get them. We’ll see how many. But yes, it’s a game for the players with less minutes but without testing. It’s not an easy game. We know about the precedents.”

Roque’s signing has definitely excited fans, but also raised some eyebrows about Marc Guiu’s participation, who has scored two goals with very limited minutes this season.

“I have a lot of faith in Guiu. But we decided with the sporting staff that he should go with the Juvenil team, who have an important match in Celta. But I have a lot of faith in him, he will continue to have opportunities.”

“I like Marc Guiu, he has a lot of things… Guiu’s chances will not have nothing to do with the signing of Roque,” Xavi added.

As far as injuries are concerned, Barcelona have been boosted by the return of Inigo Martinez, who was arguably the most in-form centre-back for the club before his injury. Xavi confirmed that he will play tomorrow.

“Inigo will be on the list and he will have minutes for sure. He is feeling very well, he has made a great recovery. We have missed his character, which is great news.”

Marc Casado’s name was also brought up as the Spaniard was expected to have a lot more minutes with the first-team this season than he has so far. Xavi assured that his chances will come soon enough.

“We have talked a lot about Marc. He has the level for the first team. There is a lot of competition, but I like him. Courage, faith, attitude, he’s a leader. I like having him in training, in the squad. He gives me confidence.”

Meanwhile, the gaffer also name-checked Sergi Roberto, who was once again key for Barça vs Las Palmas, providing the assist for Ferran Torres’ goal.

“I would recommend the club to renew Sergi Roberto’s contract. They already know that. He is important, he can play in many positions.”

“You have to explain very little to Sergi Roberto. He knows what Barça is… What he represents. He is a very criticised player, but he always gives his best,” Xavi also said about his former teammate.

The conversation then moved to Ilkay Gundogan, who eventually got Barcelona the winner this week from the penalty spot. The German has been the most consistently available player for the club so far, making a ton of difference on the pitch.

“Ilkay is giving us a lot. The other day he made the difference in a difficult moment. He’s a player who marks the personality of the team. He is always positive. He has fallen from the sky for us. Everything is judged here, but his numbers are very good.”

Xavi also confirmed that Barcelona Atletic defender Hector Fort will be getting minutes tomorrow, most likely at right-back, which is his natural position.

“Hector Fort will surely get minutes. We’ll see where. I have a lot of faith in him. He is strong, we have high hopes for him.”

On signings

Xavi was also asked to update the fans and press about Barcelona potentially making new signings in the winter transfer window. There have been reports about the club pursuing a midfielder, but nothing concrete has been built so far.

“We have to make people see that at the moment we can’t bring in anyone else, it’s a reality. From here we will see. I insist, with Gavi’s injury, a reinforcement in midfield would be very good,” Xavi answered.

We are in constant contact with Deco, Yuste and others. Roque is a signing for the future. But there could also be a bet for the present.”