Barcelona head coach Xavi remains relaxed over his contract extension, which is expected to be officially announced soon as he stays focused on the team producing the required results.

Xavi is determined the renewal of his deal through until 2025 will not distract from a key run of games which start at home to Real Betis on Saturday and also feature the beginning of the Champions League campaign against Antwerp.

“I spoke about it with Deco, with the president. It’s about achieving success, titles, not long contracts,” Xavi told a press conference.

“I will never be a problem for the club. When we see that my continuity is not the right decision, I will step aside.

“I am very excited and the project remains very relevant. My contract extension will be announced in a few days, without a doubt.

“Performance is important to me. If there are no clear objectives at the end of the season, it’s not worth having a long contract.”

Barcelona will check on midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who picked up a bruised back during Germany’s game against France, but has been able to train with his club.

Xavi is expecting a stern test from Betis, who won two of their opening four LaLiga games ahead of the international break and sit just three points behind Barca in the table.

“We have a difficult rival, a great team, technically one of the best with Isco, Ayoze (Perez), Borja Iglesias,” Xavi said.

“Having the ball will be key, having it, long possession. We need to win these three games at home and we need the fans.”

Xavi also expects to utilise all his options given the schedule ahead.

“We believe the squad is fine. Numbers are limited but we have faith in the young talent we have here,” he added.

“Lamine (Yamal), Unai (Hernandez), (Pau) Cubarsi – there are good youth players and we will make use of them. There will be rotations out of necessity. We have seven games in 20 days.

“We have the squad to deal with that, but there are players who have been playing internationals and some will be rested.”

Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini knows just what challenge awaits his side when facing a “complete squad” on Saturday evening.

“Barcelona are having a great season in terms of results and are a very performing team that won LaLiga with the (points) difference that they did. Now they are also unbeaten in this first stretch of LaLiga,” Pellegrini said.

“They have very dynamic players with proven experience and young players – like Pedri, Gavi and now Lamine.

“It is a complete squad in every sense, with youth, experience and quality, so we have to play a complete game without mistakes if we want to try to get points in Barcelona.”

Abde Ezzalzouli could feature against his old club having moved to Betis on transfer-deadline day.

Pellegrini added: “Abde has just arrived, but he is on the squad list and everyone who has been called up has a chance to play.

“He is a very important addition for us, he arrived at the last minute, we needed a winger with these characteristics.”