Xavi talks Lewandowski, Yamal, Felix, Gavi, Gundogan following Porto 0-1 Barcelona

For the second Champions League group stage game of the 2023/24 season, Barcelona had the pleasure to travel to one of the most esteemed stadiums in the world in Estadio do Dragao to take on Porto.

The Portuguese side held their own against Barcelona for the longest time, and were arguably the better side as the match went on.

Fortunately for Barcelona, some poor refereeing, coupled with one quick break from Ferran Torres was enough to secure all three points with another 0-1 win.

Xavi was quick to acknowledge Barça’s poor performance today, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, “The first half was quite good, but in the second half we suffered… We didn’t play the best game.”

“It was not our best match, but it was a vital match for us. We won, but we have to play better… We will do it, we will do it.”

“This is the Champions League. And it costs a lot. We won against a historic rival, away from home. We have to emphasize that.”

With both Frenkie de Jong and Pedri sidelined due to injury, Xavi also added, “This is not an excuse, but we have some of our best players injured.”

On the substitution of Lewandowski with a possible injury, the manager said: “He has a knock, we will see if he recovers.”

Lamine Yamal went missing for nearly ten minutes during the game, and Barcelona continued to play with ten minutes during that part before Marcos Alonso was introduced in his place.

Xavi explained the situation, “Lamine Yamal has an illness, he had been telling me for a while. I took advantage of a break to tell him to be quick and go to the toiled, but in the end he told me that he wouldn’t be able to get back to the pitch.”

The gaffer also talked about subbing Joao Felix off in the second half even though he was one of the best players on the pitch for Barcelona.

“Joao Félix was subbed off because we needed more flexibility to move the ball, and also, because he was booked. He’s fine, no injury, but I was afraid of a possible red card, and that’s what happened in the end with Gavi.”

Speaking of whom, the Spaniard picked up a second yellow card during injury time, and Barcelona endured the final few minutes with ten men, again.

“Gavi has more control over himself this year. He has matured a lot since I arrived,” Xavi said, though, with full faith in the youngster.

He also praised the back-four, who walked away with another clean sheet, on his 100th match as a manager for Barcelona, no less.

“A great match from Ter Stegen, another clean sheet. The entire defensive line of Araujo, Kounde, Balde, Cancelo was very good.”

Xavi then singled out Ilkay Gundogan, who was awarded the man of the match award following the win, courtesy of his game-winning assist.

“We lacked patience and calm on the pitch, but one of the people who gave us that was Gundogan.”

“Gundogan is a guarantee and a privilege to have him in the team. He is a player who does not lose the ball. He creates chances for us,” he added.

Xavi eventually concluded, saying, “Believe me, Barcelona is the most difficult club in the world. You win 1-0 and we keep seeing the glass half empty… We win and everything seems ‘small’.”