Xavi talks Dembele, Busquets, ter Stegen, Pedri, and Umtiti ahead of Benfica clash

Xavi’s debut as Barcelona manager got off to a far from ideal, but predictable start. Hosting Espanyol at the Camp Nou for the derby, a solitary goal from Memphis Depay from the penalty spot was sufficient to take away all three points.

Next up in their calendar is Benfica in the Champions League. Xavi spoke about the importance of this game and how this is a final already, because if Barça lose, there’s a high probability that they will drop to the Europa League.

Today, Xavi gave his first pre-UCL game presser, and Barça Universal follows all the quotes here.

Barcelona dominated the game from start to almost-finish, and Xavi could not agree more.

“I am more than satisfied with the game the other day. After watching the game repeated I see that we were very good until minute 82-83.”

He went on to acknowledge Benfica’s impressive season so far. The Portuguese outfit sit third in the league – a point clear of toppers Porto -, while being in a threatening spot in the UCL as well.

“We are talking about the Champions League. The pace and intensity will be very strong and Benfica have proven to be a very dangerous team.”

Xavi, like Barcelona fans, has not forgotten that they did not have it well for themselves in the previous encounter with Benfica, getting thrashed 3-0.

“If we win we are through. We have to be optimistic and believe in it… But without forgetting that in their stadium we lost 3-0.”

This game, despite being at the Camp Nou, will be an uphill task for Barcelona, who are utterly deprived of attackers. Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati are injured, while Ez Abde and Ilias Akhomach cannot play due to logistics.

“We will see how Dest, Dembélé and Sergi Roberto recover. We are practically without pure wingers, maybe Demir or Coutinho can play, but all of our pure wingers are injured.”

Barcelona looked to have suffered three additional injuries from their Espanyol game, with Oscar Mingueza, Sergio Busquets, and Nico picking up knocks. Xavi updated on their, and Dembele’s situation.

“Mingueza, Busquets and Nico are all fine. Dembélé? It depends on the feelings. Let’s see.”

All said and done, though, today was a happy occasion in Barcelona. Pedri was awarded the Golden Boy award for 2021, and Xavi, for one, was thoroughly behind that decision.

“I think Pedri deserves the Golden Boy. He has made a difference. I am happy for him because he is going through a difficult time due to the injury.”

For the first time in years, the Camp Nou was at full capacity. Not only that, but the team had to reach the stadium by bus due to fans flooding the streets. And of course, Xavi loved it.

“I thank the fans because I hadn’t seen the atmosphere on Saturday in my whole life. We need people to support us and encourage us. On Saturday I had goosebumps.”

The defence is inarguably the weakest part of Barcelona’s squad. Not only in terms of quality but ideas. However, Xavi does have quantity, with Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti.

“Araújo, Lenglet and Umtiti did not play on Saturday. We have five centre-backs of category, level, who are training like beasts. We will need them all.”

One man who has come under more scrutiny than others in recent months is Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He has not been up to the mark for the Blaugrana according to the fans, but the coach thinks differently.

“Ter Stegen is fundamental for us… He is among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He has personality, character, great footwork and insurance. For me he is a guarantee.”

He also spoke about the need for physical players, the likes of which Ronald Koeman was targeting. But brushed those ideas aside as one would expect.

“Physicality? You don’t have to measure 2 meters and weigh 85 kilos. It depends on the game model you want to play, it’s not my priority to be physically strong, but with players like Nico and De Jong, we have them too.”

Yesterday, it was reported that Barcelona wanted to sign Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah on Xavi’s request. But the Spaniard was quick to dismiss those rumours today.

“He is a great player, but there is no interest in signing anyone from Al-Sadd. I don’t know where the news came from.”

Source: BarçaTV+