Xavi: 'It's a very difficult first game'

Barça's opening game of the 2023/24 LaLiga season is away to Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez stadium (kick-off Sunday 9.30pm CEST). This hasn't been an easy place to go in recent seasons, but the start of a new season always comes with excitement, which Xavi Hernández stated that he and the squad share during the pre-match press conference.

Let's pick out the key takes from what he had to say:

About the game

"The team is looking confident and feeling good. Of course we have to play a very strong and defensively robust team. It's a very difficult first game, but we'll try to play our way and control the game, and give our best from the off."

"We need a lot of movement and bodies in the area against teams that play with a low block."

Araujo and Christensen ready to go

"They are both fine. They had knocks, but they will be with the squad tomorrow all being well."

Player registrations

"We are waiting at present. The club are doing a great job. We are putting in the work and let's see how far that takes us. We'll attempt to register most of the players before the game. We are optimistic and positive at present."

"I have had peace of mind as I know we will be able to use almost every player for the game."

The transfer market

"I don't have anything new to tell. The window is open until 31 August, but we are focusing on tomorrow's game. We won't know how things look until 1 September. We have to compete with who is with us now."

Ansu Fati and young players

"When you say I am not convincing enough, I don't know what you mean. I am very happy with Ansu Fati. I don't know if that is convincing enough, but he is an asset to this club, both now and for the future."

"We are very happy with Fermin and Lamine. How players perform determines their role. Balde broke through last year, it could be Fermin, Lamine, Abde, Ansu this year... it's up to them."

Ousmane Dembélé

"Dembélé has been a great guy, really helped us, but it has ended in a very disappointing manner. Disappointing on a personal level. We believed his project involved being here, but he decided to leave."