Xavi: "We Have to Give More Because We Haven't Done our Homework"
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández urged his players to "give more for not having done their homework" this season in the last six rounds of LaLiga EA Sports, where his team aims to secure the second position. In the press conference before the match against Valencia, the coach confirmed his continuity in the Barcelona bench until June 30, 2025, and asked his pupils to finish the season with good feelings.
"We have to give more because we haven't done our homework; we have to reverse this situation by finishing the season well. We aim to finish second, which would allow us to play in the next Supercopa de España," he said. On the other hand, he talked about possible departures from the club, which go hand in hand with financial fair play: "The club's situation will mark the planning for next season. Hopefully, we will reach the 1/1 rule of the 'fair play'," stated the Catalan coach.
Xavi directly addressed some of the players in the squad. He would like Sergi Roberto to renew his contract with the club - "he is an important player who can help us," he emphasized -, he considers Frenkie de Jong a "fundamental player," and he was more enigmatic regarding the continuity of Vitor Roque.
"We will decide at the end of the season what is best for each player. He arrived recently from Brazil, and it's not easy to make a difference. He needs time, adaptation, more minutes, and confidence. He is a player who can spend time at Barça," he pointed out about the Brazilian forward.
Likewise, he responded to questions about reports of changes in the structure of physical preparation. Xavi pointed out that "when there are updates, they will be announced," although he recalled that Raúl Martínez, who is rumored to be the new head of physiotherapists for the upcoming season, has been working as an external since he joined Barça in November 2021.
