Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona’s coach, confirmed after the difficult victory over his guest, Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine (2-1) today, Wednesday, in the third round of the Champions League group stage, that he was “more understanding than demanding” today of the players, given the number of absences in the team, and the state of… Physical stress
Xavi noted during the press conference after the match: “The conditions were not ideal. Everyone was nominating us to win, and the match was decided easily, but we faced a strong and difficult competitor.”
He justified the team’s performance today by saying, “The same elements that played against Athletic Bilbao (in La Liga), in a match that was the strongest physically since the beginning of the season, are the ones that played in practice today.”
Xavi resorted to a number of players from the reserve team to fill the gap due to the many absences, whether due to injury or suspension, as Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, who scored the second goal, participated from the beginning.
Then in the second half, he gave the opportunity to Marc Casado and Marc Goyo, who gave the team the three points with the only goal of the victory over Athletic Bilbao in days in the league.
He said in this regard: “I am very happy with Fermin’s performance. He is a player who, if he believes in his abilities, can play for many years at Barça. He is a dynamic player, he plays with both feet, and he excels at shooting from outside the area… He will be an important element for us.”
Regarding the exit of Portuguese star Joao Felix in the 75th minute after feeling muscle pain, he explained that there is nothing to worry about, and that it is just a bruise in the thigh, and that he will be ready to participate in the (Earth Clásico) on Saturday.]
Despite the many absences against Real Madrid, Xavi has confidence in all his available players, and that he will not “force” any of the injured to rush back (to play El Clásico).
