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Following their midweek win against PSG, Barcelona will be eager to extend their unbeaten run when they lock horns with Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday night.
The morale will be sky-high within the Barcelona camp following the victory in Paris and Xavi Hernandez & co. will be eager to build on it with another win so as to put pressure on Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
A misstep against Cadiz could spell an end to the Catalans’ ambitions in the league and that is something that is not lost on manager Xavi Hernandez.
“It’s vital for us: La Liga could be over if we don’t win. We have to be very committed so that we don’t throw in the towel. If we fail to win the clásico it will be of little use. It’s a key day,” said the Barcelona manager in his press conference today.
Real Madrid are scheduled to play Mallorca in La Liga tomorrow, a couple of hours before Barcelona’s game. And Xavi was asked if his plans for the Cadiz game could change based on what happens with Los Blancos.
“No, it won’t change anything. What worries me are the niggles and the fatigue. But we’ll put together a team to win: we have to put the Champions League to one side and focus on La Liga,” he said in response.
“It’s important to win to have chances in La Liga. To have a chance of getting within five points of Madrid if we win the clásico. But if we don’t manage it, we’d almost be saying goodbye to La Liga,” Xavi added.
While announcing his decision to leave Barcelona back in January, Xavi had stated that he was not enjoying the day-to-day as much as he used to. When asked if that had changed now, he replied:
“Yes, in many moments yes, but before it also happened to me. Now there is more tranquillity in the environment, the club too, knowing that there is an expiry date. We have all gained peace of mind: that’s why we are where we are.”
On how he plans on managing the minutes of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who have just returned from injury, Xavi…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/xavi-talks-pedri-de-jong-raphinha-lamine-roque-faye-ahead-of-cadiz-vs-barcelona/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-04-12 11:35:27
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