Nico González will not play due to the fear clause: “We don’t want it to harm us”
MADRID, 28 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The FC Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernández, was “positive” despite being eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage, “an important blow” that they will try to overcome this Saturday against Valencia in “a great moment for react again.”
“I’m still positive, it’s a big hit with the ‘Champions’. We can still have a great season. Another test and another day to show the reaction, the character and the pride that the team has”, Xavi explained at the conference press prior to the duel of LaLiga Santander in Mestalla.
A new setback in the top continental competition, which they will try to put aside to continue on the prowl for Real Madrid’s league throne. “Everything has happened to us, a misfortune. In the League we are well placed in the table, fighting for the title. This is the dynamic that we have to follow”, he recalled.
“The result that doesn’t distract us, I want to believe in that. I’ve experienced it as a footballer, we can’t deviate from the idea we have, we have to keep believing. The results are going to come and if they don’t happen then another coach will come, we don’t doubt from inside”, added the Terrassa coach.
To get out of the European ordeal, they must overcome Valencia. “It will be an offensive rival, it is surprising because it is Gattuso. You can imagine the opposite, but they are dynamic, brave and push high”, said Xavi, who valued it as a proposal “very similar” to that of the Catalan team, so expect a match similar to that of the Ahtletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou, with a local victory (4-0) in the return of Ernesto Valverde.
A ‘che’ team that will not be able to count on Nico González, on loan from FC Barcelona, ??due to the fear clause. “I see it well, he is our player, we trust him a lot and what we don’t want is for him to harm us. I see it as a positive point and it is a decision made by the club,” he said.
“I thought he would have minutes this season, he is obviously playing, perhaps not everything that was expected and desired,” he added about the young midfielder, who could return to Barça in the winter market. “Why not? We’ll talk to him. In the end it’s for the winter market. We’ll have a break to work and decide how the team’s situation is,” he said.
Before the World Cup there are three days to play. “There are two seasons in one. It is atypical and has never been experienced in football, we try to adapt, motivate the players to be well”, said Xavi, who acknowledged Gavi’s discomfort after the duel against ‘Los Leones ‘, which prevented him from playing in the Champions League.
“He has a problem, he never complains and he always wants to participate. He’s available, but we’ll see tomorrow,” he said about the young midfielder, while Memphis and Christensen are in the final stretch of recovery. “Practically one hundred percent, we will try to get them to arrive by Tuesday, since we are not risking anything, just a matter of prestige. We will see how they are and without risk, perhaps they will arrive for the day of Almería,” he added.
Asked about Pedri’s form, the Barça coach praised his figure. “I see him happy, he is key to the team. He has everything to succeed, he is taking advantage of his potential and despite being eliminated from the Champions League, he is at a great level,” he said.
“Football is more about midfielders than we think. In many moments we lack this pause and calm. There is an important psychological issue before entering the match. There are many moments, that even having won and played well, we have lacked more Calm down,” he recalled.
A diagnosis that he has shared with the president of FC Barcelona, ??Joan Laporta. “We talk often. We have a friendship and trust and we work well despite what has happened in the ‘Champions'”, he mentioned.
“I notice the confidence in the project, we have the peace of mind to work. The expectations are very high, we have lost a title. It is about putting up with the criticism and continuing to work, from within we have no doubts that we are working well and that the results will come “, he sentenced.
