Xavi: 'We're closer to success than defeat'

One trophy was lost but there are still three more to fight for, and in his press conference ahead the trip to Unionistas de Salamanca, FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was keen to make that patently clear in his pre-game conference. But he did confess that "we need to change the chip and get the positive mood back."

“We have to improve in defence" he said. "We can't let in so many goals or make things easy for the opposition. Our deep pressure didn't work out, we all got it wrong, me more than anyone. Everything came out topsy-turvy. But we shouldn't use that game as an example because we have come on leaps and bounds since November 2021."

"I am here because I have achieved certain targets. When I joined they told me the goal was to finish fourth, and we finished second. Last season the goal was to win the league, and we did that and also won the Super Cup, surpassing expectations. And the goal this year was to win trophies and we are half way through the season and the three most important ones are all still to play for. We are closer to success than defeat."

He also appreciated this morning's visit by president Joan Laporta and other members of the board, and said his uplifting message has raised the team's spirits.

"Game of their lives”

As for the Copa del Rey match tomorrow, the coach said "we need to get the positive vibes back. We are clearly favourites and want to be in the quarter finals. But Unionistas are a team with a face and eyes. They are good in the air, play direct football and have very clear ideas. It won't be an easy place to go. For them it is the biggest game of their lives."

Xavi also mentioned that Vitor Roque could well get to feature and explained that the Brazilian signing didn't play in the Spanish Super Cup because he was having minor fitness issues.