A youthful Barça squad managed to win a key match against Elche, 3-2, in a tight affair at the Camp Nou. Xavi, Nico González, and Jutglà all spoke with the press about the game, individual performances, tactics and much more after the game.
Xavi’s start as the manager of FC Barcelona was a difficult one but there are signs of clear improvement in today’s match. He sent in a completely unseen starting eleven with the likes of Abde and Jutglà leading the attack alongside Dembélé. During the better part of the game it worked incredibly with great displays of technique and collective play. However, the defense still remains one if not the biggest issue for this young team.
This is what the Xavi Hernández had to say after the match
On the match:
“We have done some things very well. But we have lacked professionalism. Elche was not supposed to have open spaces or quick transitions. We discussed it, we had to make tactical fouls. With their goal they got into the game and then 2-2, taking into account our situation, it affects us. We have to go back to our model, recover the positional game. We hope it will be a turning point. We have had occasions that we have not taken advantage of. They have survived because of our mistakes.”
Regarding their tactics:
“At a tactical level, we have worked to attack the open spaces. They played 4-4-2 and we were looking for superiority on the inside. Ferran has great skill, he is more a winger than nine, but we knew that he attacked very well the spaces and dragged the defenders. Today, the first goal of Elche, was our mistake in which we did not stop the attack on three occasions.”
On the youngsters:
“They make the difference, but they didn’t send a message to veterans. Busi, De Jong, Alba and Ter Stegen left it all on the pitch. I am delighted with the team. To grow you have to suffer and recover the model, which we had lost, and it is something that surprised me a lot. This generation is even better than the one of Busquets’ and Pedro. If I have not played more young players, it is because I was out of substitutions.”
Regarding Gavi:
“The game he played was spectacular because of his ambition and personality. Having him is a show: his personality, what he generates, the goal, his assistance. He is the future of the club. Surprising due to his age, he is only 17 years old. He makes a difference. I’m delighted to have him, but I don’t want to compare him to anyone. He has no limit.”
On Elche almost making a comeback:
“Pissed off, outrageous … it seems incredible. But out of persistence and personality we reacted. This was a final for us and it meant a lot.”
The hero of the match for Barcelona was Nico González who jumped on the pitch during the second half only to score the winning goal. This was what the young midfielder had to say:
Regarding his goal:
“I felt a tremendous joy. Before, I had missed a clear opportunity and then Gavi arrived with a great play, which was spectacular, and I was able to score. I hope that one day the entire Camp Nou can chant my name.”
On the match:
“With the 2-2 we saw that they were a very complicated opponent, but we knew that we were going to have our chances, we had it and we scored, so I’m very happy.”
Regarding Elche:
“Elche had two opportunities and put them away, they have quality and it is normal for them to have their chances. I threw myself however I could to score and that is the most important thing.”
On LaLiga aspirations:
“First we will fight for the first four positions, but we are Barça and we have to fight for LaLiga for the fans, who today have been spectacular and deserve everything.”
Finally, another player who also surprised everyone was Ferran Jutglà who scored an amazing header during the first half of the match. He said the following:
Regarding his time at Barcelona:
“For me every day is a gift. Being with these players, in one of the best teams in the world … for me that is already a gift.”
On his performance:
“I am a Barça B player, I come here to try to help and enjoy every moment. I dedicated the goal to my mother and my family.”
On his goal:
“It has always been a dream to score at the Camp Nou. I already knew that I would celebrate it like this (making the gesture of putting on glasses).º
