Xavi talks Pedri, Raphinha, Araujo, Yamal, Balde, Bellingham, Ancelotti ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Barcelona will be aiming to lift their first trophy of the 2023/24 season when they lock horns with bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final tomorrow.

Barcelona are the current holders of the Super Cup, having completely outplayed and defeated Real Madrid in the finals in Saudi Arabia last year.

And, Xavi Hernandez & co. will be aiming to repeat that feat despite not going through their best moment in recent matches.

Barça made it to the finals after easing past CA Osasuna 2-0 in the semi-finals while Real Madrid defeated neighbours Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra time to set up a Clasico date.

On the eve of the match, manager Xavi addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, discussing various topics, including a possible change in formation.

Kicking things off, the Barcelona manager provided an update on his players’ condition, both physical and mental, heading into the Super Cup finals, saying:

“The team is very motivated, very excited. There is no better stage for a footballer. Try to play a great match: we have the example of last season, which is the ideal match. To dominate the match: to impose our identity, to dominate with the ball is the ideal scenario.

“We are a little less fit than Madrid, that’s the reality. But it’s all 50/50 when the ball rolls. We are where we want to be.”

With Pedri back fit, there has been talk about Xavi possibly switching tactics and deploying four midfielders for tomorrow’s game. When asked about the same, he remarked:

“It doesn’t depend on Pedri. He is one hundred per cent there and I have a very clear idea. Having the ball, dominating, regardless of whether we play with three, four, five, or six midfielders doesn’t change our DNA, which Cruyff instilled 30 years ago.

“We are looking for that way and it is our way. True to Cruyffism.”

On whether he would be okay if Barcelona win the game without deserving it, Xavi hit back saying: “But when have we ever won without deserving it? What usually happens to us is the opposite.

“It only happened to us in Anoeta, one game out of 200 we won a game we didn’t deserve. So we have to be true to our identity. We will insist on the how.”

Heading into the final, Real Madrid have had an extra day of rest compared to Barcelona. But Xavi does not believe it will have an effect, as he said:

“It doesn’t make much difference. It’s true that they had extra time. Last year it was the same, we even had extra time and we had a great final.”

Leading up to the game, Barcelona were dealt an injury blow as Raphinha has been sidelined for close to a month due to a hamstring issue. Providing an update on the Brazilian, Xavi said:

“Yes, I hope Raphinha makes it to the Champions League game. But yes, I have a clear idea and the name of the players against Madrid.”

Xavi has tended to deploy Ronald Araujo at right-back in recent El Clasico matches to counter the threat of Vinicius Jr. When asked if he will once again do the same to set up the duel, the Barça boss replied:

“I can’t give any clues: you’ll see tomorrow. And obviously, Araujo is a guarantee. It’s extraordinary how he has improved with the ball.”

When asked about the team’s recent performances, Xavi argued that Barcelona have been playing well contrary to public opinion, saying:

“I don’t agree, we played very well against Sevilla, Athletic, Madrid, Girona… we played better than last season. One thing is what you analyse and what I analyse.”

On whether he and his team plan on rewatching last season’s final heading into tomorrow’s contest, he replied: “No, last season we saw it two or three times. This year it’s different, Madrid play a different system, they don’t play with a 9, they play with four midfielders.”

Whether he believes momentum is on Real Madrid’s side ahead of the Super Cup final, Xavi said: “I have the feeling that Madrid are stronger when Barça are stronger. If we’ve won any title we’ve had to go through Madrid. In the Super Cup final, in the Copa, in La Liga. They also react when they see a strong Barça. It’s all very evenly matched.”

On what is at stake for him in tomorrow’s match, Xavi added: “I’m playing for a title. I’m more relaxed. We’ve shown that we’re a winning project and of course, Real Madrid are hungry. They always are.

“Real Madrid react even more when they see a strong Barça side that can compete with them. Tomorrow is an ideal scenario: I’m looking forward to this title.”

With Raphinha sidelined with an injury, Lamine Yamal is expected to start on the right flank for Barcelona tomorrow. And, Xavi backed the teenager to succeed irrespective of who he is up against.

“What he’s showing: individual quality, self-confidence. He can have whoever he plays in front of him: Camavinga, Mendy? But he won’t be weighed down by the stage because he has this personality as a teenager,” the Barcelona manager remarked.

Discussing the performance of Alejandro Balde against Osasuna, Xavi said: “The other day he played with a lot of pain in his back, but he had the personality to hold his own.

“He’s giving us a lot on the inside on the outside and I’m sure Madrid will be very attentive to Balde. The opposition knows that we have a lot of potential on that left wing.”

On whether he sees any similarities between himself and his Real Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelotti, Xavi replied:

“I’m sure I haven’t underestimated him. I think he is one of the best coaches in history: he has succeeded in every country, you won’t see people talking badly about Ancelotti. Similarities? We were midfielders but I think the idea and the methodology are different.”

Xavi pointed out Jude Bellingham as a threat to his team, but insisted that Barcelona would not just focus on one player, saying:

“We don’t focus on one player or we would go crazy. I would highlight Bellingham’s presence, his physical ability, his technique. He is making a difference from the second line.”

Source: SPORT