Xavi: 'We're raging inside'

After failing to pick up any points from El Clásico, FC Barcelona need to make up the lost ground on Saturday, although it will be far from easy to do that at the home of in-form Real Sociedad. But a reaction is what's needed, and that is what coach Xavi expects from the trip to the Reale Arena. 

Here are some of the top quotes from his pre-game press conference:

Working for excellence

“This will be a difficult test. Imanol Alguacil does a wonderful job, he gets intensity and good football out of his players. As for us, we need to make higher demands of ourselves and keep humbly working on to cut down the four-point difference on the leaders. And this game is the ideal scenario to demonstrate that we can do it. We always pursue excellence. FC Barcelona never settles for anything else."

”We need to reset at a difficult ground. We¡re angry, we're raging inside, but we have to make amends for our mistakes. It's the small details that matter, we can't afford to have any more lapses in concentration."

Pedri back

"We have a healthy, noble squad. I am happy with the work and willingness of all the players. We have players that are hungry to win. And having Pedri back is really good news for the team. He is a capital player for getting us to play the way we want to."

"We have so many different options in this team. Araujo and Kounde can both play, but I'm very happy with Cancelo, He is a physically and mentally strong player."

"Raphinha and Lewandowski are both looking good. But Frenkie de Jong is still feeling pain despite being able to train with the group."

Praise for Aitana

He also had words for Aitana Bonamatí, who won the women's Ballon d'Or this week, saying that "she is a very important exponent of the way FC Barcelona plays. It's some spectacle to watch her play, she has our DNA."