Ahead of the clash with Real Madrid this Saturday, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his openness to fielding key players, even those recovering from recent injuries, stressing the condition that they attain complete fitness.
The upcoming match has seen the Spanish champions operating without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, and defenders Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto, exacerbating the team’s personnel challenges.
Except for the latter, all those players joined the training session on Friday, leaving Xavi pleasantly surprised by their rapid recoveries and unwavering commitment to compete against Real Madrid.
‘I was surprised to see them in training too,’ Xavi told reporters on Friday.
‘Players that we had almost ruled out and they want to be there, they all want to play.’
‘They all feel very good and you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the squad list.’
Since his injury against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 due to an ankle issue, Barcelona’s lone striker Lewandowski has been absent from the pitch.
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‘Evidently I won’t tell you the line-up or give clues, (but he’s) feeling very good, he’s well,’ said the coach.
‘They all feel good and want to be there — it’s a very important game.’
De Jong’s most recent game was in September before he suffered an ankle sprain, while Pedri has been absent since August due to a hamstring injury.
Winger Raphinha has been out of action due to a thigh problem since September, while Kounde sustained a knee sprain during the encounter with Granada on October 10.
Xavi affirmed his willingness to start any of the returning players if they are fully fit, without any hesitation.
‘If they are 100 percent, I’ll play them, there’s no problem,’ added the coach.
With a heavy dependence on youngsters from the La Masia youth academy, Barcelona has seen crucial goals coming from the likes of Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, and Marc Guiu.
Xavi shared some advice for the young players who might participate in the match against league leaders Real Madrid.
‘Having homegrown players is a boost, it’s fantastic to have players from La Masia, they know about the rivalry, they know the importance of the game, it’s always fundamental,’ said Xavi.
‘(In the Clasico) there are always more nerves, more tension, controlling those nerves, controlling your character, the tempo of the game, it’s hard, because the heart is hot, but (you need) a cold head, I think that’s the key to these games.’
‘There is more emotion and desire than normal, but control is key.’
The coach observed the striking influence of Jude Bellingham since his arrival at Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Having scored eight goals, the England international is at the forefront as the leading scorer in the division.
‘Bellingham is very important for Madrid with their change of system, he has freedom, and attacks well from deep,’ added Xavi.