Xavi Hernandez confident "alternatives" can replace injured Pedri

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Saturday ahead of the match against Villarreal that, despite the absence of Pedri due to an injury to his right thigh, "the idea won't change much" at La Ceramica.

"These are situations that make us sad, because Pedri is a guy who takes care of himself and who has done an extraordinary job this summer to gain muscle mass," lamented the Catalan coach, who said he did not know "what the main reason for the injury is".

The Xavi assured that, with the signing of Gundogan, as well as the participation of players like Fermin, Sergi Roberto, Gavi, De Jong and Oriol Romeu, "there are alternatives", and even opened the door to youth player Marc Casado, who he said would "surely" travel to Villarreal.

Asked about the situation of Abde and Ferran Torres, both of whom would like to have more minutes, Xavi said that "the players must understand that it's not about being a starter or a substitute anymore, especially from midfield and forward" and stressed that the game against Cadiz "was won with the five players who came off the bench".

Xavi confirmed that Alejandro Balde, who had some discomfort in one of the last training sessions, will be available.

"In principle he will be available, there is no injury or problem for him to be available," said the Barcelona coach, who will have the two left-backs in the squad as the club has registered Marcos Alonso, who will also be available against Villarreal.

Xavi indicated that, against the team from Castellon, his side will have to work to "get the ball out of them, put pressure on their defensive line and recover balls in the opposition half", and added that, for this reason, the key is "to have the ball".

He did not want to go into refereeing controversies again, although he did suggest that now that conversations in the dressing room have been opened up, so too could those of the referees. "I would like to hear them so that people can see what is going on and that they really whistle what they see," he concluded.

 

August 26, 2023