A year on the Barça bench: “It’s non-stop, daily stress, it’s still a roller coaster”
BARCELONA, Nov. 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, ??Xavi Hernández, assured that he continues to have the same enthusiasm as when he came to the Blaugrana bench and, a year later, he believes that the work done has been good and that winning titles, the goal set, is a matter of “calm and patience”.
“I’m still very excited, the same as at the beginning, things have been done well and it’s a matter of calm and patience. In the ‘Champions’ we haven’t made the grade, it’s the reality, but we’re working well. It’s a process that needs time and patience”, assessed the Blaugrana coach.
Xavi assured that being a Barça coach is “stressful” but that it is also “enjoyable”. “In the end, you are at Barça, at home, and when you are being judged and criticized and being the focus, it is not easy to handle but I try to be strong and positive in some way to definitely turn this season around,” he said.
“The coach is exposed to results, also with very high expectations, very strong expectations have been generated and it will depend on the results. In the League we are on the right track, the national competitions are there, we are leaders of a League that makes us illusion and we are going to compete in the Europa League”, he assured.
It is clear to him that the goal is to “win titles” this season. “A team has been made for that, the objective is clear. The league gains even more importance by being eliminated from the ‘Champions’. Hopefully we will be first, the objective is to be champions”, he commented.
In this sense, he sees it as very important to have led the break, for the calm of the environment. “Things have gone well, now we have a month and a half without competition, we are excited to see the World Cup but preparing for the second part of the season, which will be very tough. The players will come from the World Cup demands,” he warned.
Asked about the derby against RCD Espanyol, from December 30-31, he acknowledged that he will not have all the troops at the top, after the World Cup. “We will try to prepare the derby in the best way. Espanyol has 2-3 World Cup winners, we 17, which is a record. We are going to prepare the derby well to continue to be leaders and compete very well in this League that excites us so much. May they arrive as soon as possible far possible all but in perfect condition to face the second stage of the season”, he said.
Regarding his first anniversary as a culé coach, he acknowledged that it seems that it has been longer. “These days I disconnect, I needed it too. Yesterday was one year since I arrived at Can Barça and it has been as if it were many more years. Feeling of non-stop, daily stress, things to solve every day. It has been a roller coaster of emotions, it still is”, he was sincere.
On the other hand, he sees the three-game ban on Robert Lewandowski as “excessive” after his finger gesture in the nose, after being sent off in the game against Almería. “We are going to appeal, we believe that it is an excessive sanction. I think it was a gesture that was also impulsive, he explained it very well. Robert is also an example of conduct, always”, he valued.
IN POR THE 25th CAMPUS XAVI
On the other hand, Xavi presented what will be the 25th edition of the ‘Campus Xavi by Santander’. “It was an idea out of the blue, with my father and brothers. We have enjoyed it, the children come delighted and happy to enjoy football and with the values ??that we try to instill, respect and teamwork,” said the man from Terrassa.
“We (my father and my brothers) had a good time. It has become more professional, thanks to Santander even more. When I go up to campus and see the children enjoying themselves, it makes me feel alive. No one ever takes that feeling away from me no matter how many years go by”, he was sincere.
Designed for 15-16 year olds, Xavi sometimes meets parents but also former participants from his campus. “When, by surprise, a father or mother stops me and thanks you, you don’t know why, and they tell you it’s because of the campus, they tell you that the child has had a great time and wants to repeat. Fuck you thank you for it, it’s fantastic, sensational. They show you a photo from ten years ago and they thank you. It’s this,” he said.
