Xavi talks Gavi, Frenkie, ter Stegen, Araujo, Raphinha, Pedri, Gundogan, Vitor Roque ahead of Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona – Beragampengetahuan

Barcelona manager Xavi has stamped Gavi’s injury as a ‘significant loss’, saying that the young midfielder is an irreplaceable player in his squad.

The 19-year-old was earlier ruled out for the rest of the season and also for next year’s UEFA Euro after tearing his ACL during his international commitment for Spain against Georgia.

Gavi’s importance and Xavi’s consolation

As Barcelona prepare to take on Rayo Vallecano in their return to La Liga action following a gruelling international break, Xavi pressed the importance of the youngster during the media duties, saying that tomorrow’s game is precisely where he would have needed Gavi the most.

“It is a significant loss, a disgrace, he is an irreplaceable player because of the passion, desire, and courage he puts in. He is a player who contributes a lot to us and tomorrow is a game where we would precisely need Gavi,” said the manager as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

It is to be noted that Xavi experienced a knee injury of similar magnitude during his playing years. So while speaking about it, the manager explained that he had a talk with Gavi and he did share his personal experience with the youngster.

“I have spoken with him, I had the personal experience that made me a better footballer, more mature. I was aware that I had to take care of myself a little more, do prevention when necessary, and take care of the details. 

“From there I became more professional. Don’t skip any recovery days, recover as best as possible. It’s very important to recover well.” 

“Vallecas is always a very complicated field and in recent times, we have not been able to win. We recover players and with the mentality and desire to see if we finally beat Rayo,” he added on the challenge that awaits his team tomorrow.

Xavi’s relationship with Luis de la Fuente

Spanish national team manager Luis de la Fuente was largely criticised for his use of Gavi and when asked about his relationship with the national team coach, Xavi said,

“I have a very good relationship with De la Fuente. He called me on Monday or Tuesday and we talked, I have a very good relationship with him and also with Luque. 

“I don’t see that it is a problem of the manager but also calendar management. At his age, Gavi has played many matches and the calendar is full of games and that has been the reason for the injury in addition to bad luck,” explained Xavi.

The manager added that De la Fuente is not at fault for what happened, but the fixture congestion is. “No problem with De la Fuente, it is a problem with the calendar and too many games.” 

“We always send a report on how they are, how they have trained, the number of minutes, we are always in contact with all the federations, not just the Spanish one, we always send the report so they can see how they are, everyone. From then on everyone has their interest.” 

Injuries and Xavi’s criticism of media 

Adding to his information, the manager also affirmed that regular first-team goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will not be available for the game, meaning that Inaki Pena will be the automatic starter agianst Vallecano.

“Tomorrow Marc [Andre ter Stegen] will not be able to be there and all the confidence in Iñaki Peña, who is 100% prepared.”

He also said that midfielder Frenkie de Jong is 100% fit and will be available for selection.

“We have noticed Frenkie’s loss when he has not been there, like Pedri’s. He is 100% fit, he has been with the group for days and is available.”

On the other hand, he also said Ronald Araujo and Raphinha arrived late from international duties and had hardly trained. 

“We are conditioned by the minutes. For example, Araujo and Raphinha have hardly trained, they have had to rest. We are worried about fatigue and the minutes. We do tests and injury prevention. We do tests to see how they are and thus decide the lineup.” 

It is to be noted that Xavi lashed out at press personnel after his side’s 2-1 win over Alaves, saying that the media criticism is hampering his players’ performance on the field. When asked to elaborate on the same, he said:

“I said what I thought. At half-time against Alaves, I realized that many were affected by external criticism and I insisted that they free themselves. 

“That’s why I said at a press conference that it was affecting us. But at no time did I use it as an excuse for the level of play, we played poorly in the first half because of us. What affected us? Of course, but I don’t make excuses.” 

January transfer plans and line of fixtures

It is said while Barcelona are already working on bringing Vitor Roque in January, there is a thought of signing a midfielder to cover Gavi’s loss.

This demand, however, is not straightforward as Barcelona need to consider several aspects before even thinking of acquiring a new player.

“This is not the time to talk about the market, honestly. We have Roque, more footballers that we watch, but tomorrow there is Rayo, then Porto, then Girona. 

‘Talking about the market makes no sense and if there is any news we will announce it. I am in contact with the president and with Deco on a daily basis. We will announce what we think is appropriate. 

“They know my position and I know theirs and from there there is a consensus. We will see what we can do and we will. Let’s see if we incorporate any players,” he explained. 

Since it is difficult for Barcelona to accommodate a new player, the manager pressed on the fact that young players will now be monitored.

“We already know the youngsters, we have been testing people, and we give the footballers we see the opportunity. We are always aware of the youth team, which is important.” 

Furthermore, the manager was also quipped about the gruelling line of fixtures and the addition of international breaks in the midst of domestic matches. While speaking about it, he said,

“More than a small solution, which I think FIFA is considering, to spend 8 or 9 months at the club and then the players go to the national team. And then in two or three months, there will be the qualifiers for the European Championship and then the European Championship. 

“We always play a lot and now we have seven games before the Christmas break. Two in the Champions League and five in the league are important for the future of the two championships. 

“Everything adds up, recovering feelings from three or four games ago now From there we will surely achieve results,” he said.

Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and other youngsters

During Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Alaves, images circulated around the web as it emerged that veteran forward Robert Lewandowski was discontent with Lamine Yamal over his decision-making.

Speaking about the incident, the manager added that it is very normal for players to react in the heat of the moment.

“I think it’s something normal, it happened to me a lot when I was a player, I remember fights with Puyol and Valdes. You can look through the newspaper archive. I remember a fight with Valdes in Almeria. 

“It happens everywhere and at work, but we don’t give it importance. Lewandowski is one of the footballers who helps his teammate the most and Robert is very attentive to Lamine so that he can be a great footballer.”

Xavi also explained the importance of Lewandowski in the team, saying, “Robert needs the team and the team needs Robert, he is fundamental, he is a scorer, he makes a difference. 

“In the last game, he scored a great goal that tied the game. He is always there helping, he is altruistic, a natural leader and he is fundamental have it right.” 

On Araujo, Raphinha, Pedri and others

The manager was later asked back-to-back questions about the use of his players and starting with Araujo, he said:

“We have used Ronald as a full-back and without going any further he gave us the victory against Real Sociedad, coming in as a right-back like Dani Alves did. 

“Ronald has this ability, he can adapt, and he is versatile. This is how we have done it and we will use it more times. 

On the possibility of using Raphinha as an interior: “He has a lot of mobility and goes very well into space and there we can take advantage of him with inputs from the second line, he has a good shot, last goal, pass. Playing inside or on the wing he can make a lot of difference”

On Pedri: “The same with Frenkie, they are footballers who mark the face of the team, they carry the weight, they make differences, they touch a lot of balls and it is essential that they are well. This break has gone very well for Pedri.” 

On Andreas Christensen and Inigo Martinez: “It’s a performance issue, I see Iñigo very well at the moment and Andreas may have played less because of this but it will be important for sure. We have four high-quality centre-backs and this is very good for the group.” 

On Sergi Roberto: “Sergi Roberto in principle will not come on tomorrow but he will be against Porto.” 

Finally, commenting on the reports of Ilkay Gundogan being open to a move to Saudi Arabia, he said: “Does a newspaper in [Saudi] Arabia say so? Wow.”