Speaking after training this morning, Xavi explained that he’d come off against Seville feeling: “very happy” with his tendons and with a tough November ahead, that he was: “optimistic about taking part in every game”.
After missing the games against Zaragoza and Ceuta, Xavi was back in the starting line up against
Seville and reckons: “I felt fine – I was very happy”, and even believes he could
have got through the whole 90 minutes if needed.
Although he admitted there is still some pain in his ankle, after the
win over Seville the World Cup winner insisted: “I felt nearly 100% and I hope to be
available for every game – we’ll have to see how the injury progresses”.
“We needed a game like that”
Xavi was also well aware of what the big win can do for team spirit and
the fans’ view of the team: “we needed a game like that at home – we saw the
Barça that everybody wants”. Dismissing the doubts that surrounded the team at the start of
the campaign, Xavi was adamant: “we are at a very high level, just like we were in other
seasons. The only difference has been that we haven’t had a result like this so far, we have
tended to go for the result rather than the performance”.
Copenhagen
The squad fly off to Copenhagen on Monday and Xavi is well aware that a
win on Tuesday could virtually ensure classification. “that would mean we could rest some
players , but it won’t be easy to beat Copenhagen”.
FIFA award
Xavi is one of the favourites for the FIFA Balon D’or award and although he
accepted: “it’s an honour to be nominated”, he insisted” the best player
now and over the last few years has been Leo Messi . He’s a level above the rest of
us”.
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Pinto, Mourinho and Villa
Xavi fielded questions about Pinto, Mourinho and Villa, firstly expressing his conviction that the
keeper had been unlucky to be handed a two match suspension: “what happens on the pitch
should stay on the pitch”. As to the Real Madrid boss, Xavi insisted: “we are not going
to get into a slanging match. Our only war is on the pitch”.
Finally, with Villa’s brace against Seville calming everybody’s nerves, Xavi made
it clear that: “he’s looking fine. All he needed was the goals he got against Seville;
he’s been participating and creating chances for us all season”.