- 27/11/2023
Barcelona boss Xavi and defender Joao Cancelo preview their UEFA Champions League clash with Porto
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SportsTranscript
00:00 [Silence]
00:14 Good afternoon everyone. We'll start the press conference with Joao Cancelo. First question, Patry.
00:20 Hi, I'm Patrycia Pérez for Barça's website. We're facing tomorrow's game, which in case of victory we'll ensure the qualification. How do you face this important challenge within the team? Thank you.
00:34 Hi, good afternoon. I think we're facing a final. We know how important it is for us as a team and for the club. We could have played the last game against Shakhtar, the round of 16, but I think it's a very important game.
00:57 It's going to be a very difficult month because we have very important games. Starting with tomorrow's game, it's going to be a final and we'll have to win it.
01:07 Hi, I'm Gemma Mallorca from BTV. My question is about the confidence in the dressing room. I don't know how you are, you've been playing games that are not going well.
01:18 I don't know how you face this game from now on. The Champions League is back here at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. What confidence do you have in the dressing room?
01:26 Well, the truth is that we have. We haven't played the last few games as we wanted to, but I think we've had a bit of a better feeling against Rayo.
01:42 We've had a bit of a better feeling against Rayo, but it wasn't a 10-game win. I think we have to improve. We have some important players like Frenkie.
01:56 The good thing about football is that we always have a chance to play a good game three days later to gain confidence.
02:11 Hi, I'm Joao. Xavi said a few days ago that the squad had been affected by the criticism of the press in the dressing room. Do you see it that way?
02:21 I don't think it affects us that much. Personally, it doesn't affect me that much because I'm a bit older. We have a very young team. It's normal that it affects some, but this is Barça.
02:39 It's a big club, one of the best clubs in the world. We have to know how to deal with the pressure because that's the only way we're going to achieve great things.
02:48 Hi, I'm Albert Hernández from Televisión Española. You've played for big teams like Manchester City and Bayern Munich and you've seen situations where the results haven't come out.
02:59 Do you notice that there are nerves within the team, nerves that things have to go well, that there's an urgency and things haven't come out, and that generates more nerves?
03:08 Well, the truth is that football, as I've said, there are times when we're not doing so well. I don't think we're doing things like when I arrived, for example.
03:22 But football gives you the opportunity to gain confidence, to have a game three days later and try to do better than you did in the last game. I think that's what we're looking for.
03:36 I think we have a very young team, but with a lot of quality. I think there are players who give us a lot, as is the case with Frenkie, who is very important to us. We've recovered from that.
03:48 We're going to try, as a team, all together, to improve this situation.
03:56 João Pedro Silva, RTP. João, two questions. One has to do with the fact that in Portugal we've just heard that Pep is recovered and can play tomorrow against Barcelona.
04:05 Is that bad news for you or not? And the other question has to do with the fact that João has just said that it was a final for Barcelona.
04:14 In the moment that you're living, in the Champions League, do you think that you can give the famous chip change so that you're in a different way and much better?
04:28 In relation to Pep, of course it's bad news for us, because he's a great player. I respect him a lot as a player. He's one of the best central defenders in Portuguese football, if not the best.
04:41 Of course it's bad news, because he knows how much I like him, how much I like him as a player and how much I appreciate him. He's one of our captains in the national team.
04:53 Of course it's bad news for us. In relation to the other question, I think that it can be a chip change, a win tomorrow, which gives us the qualification for the round of 16, which is what we're looking for.
05:11 We know that the club is not living the best moments financially, and to help the club, I think it's very important. We'll face tomorrow the game as a real final.
05:23 The finals are to win, and that's how we'll face tomorrow.
05:33 Looking at the Porto team and the first round, what challenges did Porto put on Barcelona, and that Barcelona wasn't expecting?
05:45 It was a very balanced game. Did you prepare the game differently tomorrow? Did you try to learn something from the first game?
05:57 Of course. I think that in the first game, Porto put us in some difficulties, even because of the way they play. We know the coach they have.
06:06 He's a coach who plays in a very aggressive way, with a lot of pressure. We'll try to reach their weak points, which they also have, like all teams.
06:21 It will be a difficult game, even because I've played against Porto several times, and I know how they play, how they play aggressively, and it will be a difficult game.
06:39 As it's been the case in the last few seasons, in the national team, in City, in Bayern, this season you've changed sides, to the left, to the right, and sometimes even more forward on the pitch.
06:48 Considering the style of Barça, do you admit that you have a preference, and can you give us a clue as to where we'll see you tomorrow?
06:59 I can't give you a clue, even because I'm not a team player yet. But, as I've said before, I feel very good on the right and left wing, even on the inside, which has been used a lot lately.
07:16 But, as I've said, I always try to get my football for the team, to help my teammates. Those who know me know that it's a pride for me to be here. I've loved this club since I was a child, because of all the idols who played here.
07:33 As I've said, as long as I'm here, I'll defend these colours with the utmost respect and ambition. What I can say is that I'll do my utmost to help my teammates to win tomorrow.
07:54 Hi, good afternoon. Xavi said the other day that to win titles, a change of mentality is required. Do you agree with him in the diagnosis that the team lacks that winning mentality to be a champion?
08:11 I don't think we lack a winning mentality. I've always seen Barça win. I think we have a very young team, and they don't have the experience that I have, or that Gundo has, or that the most mature adults have.
08:35 But that changes year after year. As I've said, football is a sport that gives you the opportunity to improve every three days. That's what we'll try to do tomorrow, with a good display. I think we'll try to win too.
09:03 Hi, how are you? Carlos Monfort here for Gijantes' Twitch. You started the season at a very high level, and perhaps that's been diluted over time. What do you think the team lacks, and above all, what do you think you lack to see that player with zeal who's shining in Manchester? Thank you.
09:19 I think I started well. I don't think I'm bad either. But in the end, it's not a good time for everyone. But as I've said, this doesn't resolve in the individual, but in the team.
09:43 We all have to be 100% with the right mentality to face these games. I think we'll get there, because whoever works with my teammates every day knows how hard we work, and how ambitious we are to win titles this year. That's what we'll try to do.
10:05 Hi, good afternoon. I'd like to wish you luck for tomorrow's game, and I'd like to ask you if being Portuguese and having played for Benfica has motivated you for this game?
10:19 I'm not looking for it like that, because I'm from Benfica, and they're the biggest rival in Porto. But I'm in Barça now, defending these colours, and I don't care about that situation, because I'm defending Barça.
10:38 The three points go to Barça, and that's what I want tomorrow. The three points, the win, and the qualification to the round of 16.
10:45 Hi Joao, good afternoon. Nacho Jimenez from Más que Pelotas. You said earlier that this season you're playing from the inside, and that's a side you've shown in other teams, especially in Manchester City with Pep Guardiola.
10:56 What are the differences in your notes from what Xavi Hernández asks you to play in that demarcation, compared to other coaches?
11:03 Well, every coach has a different way of interpreting the game. I'm very grateful to Pep, because he made me a better player. I'm also very grateful to Xavi, because things are going well for me.
11:21 I'm enjoying myself a lot in this city, in this club. It's a huge club, and I'm trying to do my best wherever I can.
11:31 I'm also very motivated in Barça, because it's the club I've always wanted to be in. I'm here because of that, and I want to enjoy myself as long as I can, and if possible, win titles, which is what I'm looking for.
11:46 Hello, Guillem Borras for Iniestazo. You were talking about the youth in this team. I'm asking you about the youngest of all, and you've been in a team with him, with LamÃn Yamal.
11:56 I'd like you to explain how you feel playing alongside him, and what you think you can help him with, and what he can benefit from you.
12:06 Well, LamÃn is an incredible player. When I was 16, I played for Juveniles, and he's already in the first team of Barça. He's an incredible player.
12:17 He has a spectacular talent for his age, and how can I help him? Well, with the experience I have, I've been to many clubs, and I try to talk to him to make things easier for him.
12:34 When I pass the ball to him, I try to make it one-on-one, which is his greatest virtue. He has to help me, too. It's not because he's younger that he doesn't help me, but because he helps me.
12:46 I think we can only win titles and achieve great things if we're all together, and that's what we're looking for.
12:56 Good afternoon, Joao. Carlos DomÃnguez from Culemania. I wanted to ask you about another of your teammates, your friend, Joao Félix.
13:03 Do you think he's lacking confidence in his last games at the goal? After so long without scoring? Thank you.
13:10 The truth is that strikers or strikers need to score goals, but Félix has been training very well. He has a great attitude in training and in games.
13:23 Sometimes there's no goal or no confidence, but if he does it tomorrow, he's the best in the world.
13:33 He's a great footballer, so I think he has the right mentality, he's on the right path and he's working very well.
13:40 It's good for the team, because, as I said, it's not about the individual, but about everyone working together to achieve great things this year.
13:48 Thank you very much, Joao. We'll be right back with the coach of Barcelona, Xabier Mane.
13:54 Thank you, everyone. Good afternoon.
13:57 Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the press conference of the football coach.
14:02 Xabi Hernández, Barcelona's coach.
14:05 Let's start with...
14:07 No.
14:09 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:13 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:17 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:21 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:25 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:29 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:34 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:37 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:41 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:45 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:49 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:53 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
14:57 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:02 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:05 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:09 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:13 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:17 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:21 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:25 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:30 I think it's better if you start with the first question.
15:33 Hi Xavi, Marta Ramon, live from RAC1.
15:37 Considering the situation of the team,
15:41 considering the situation of the team,
15:45 do you think there is enough connection between your football plan
15:49 and what your players understand and can transfer to the pitch?
15:53 Yes, totally.
15:57 I think we are doing things the way we want to.
16:00 But we are playing a good game.
16:04 We are playing to win.
16:08 We are creating chances, especially in the second half.
16:12 We saw a more aggressive team,
16:16 we are more eager to win.
16:20 We are playing to win.
16:25 We are playing to win.
16:28 We are playing to win.
16:32 We are playing to win.
16:36 We are playing to win.
16:40 We are playing to win.
16:44 We are playing to win.
16:48 We are playing to win.
16:53 We are playing to win.
16:56 We are playing to win.
17:00 We are playing to win.
17:04 We are playing to win.
17:08 We are playing to win.
17:12 We are playing to win.
17:16 We are playing to win.
17:21 We are playing to win.
17:24 We are playing to win.
17:28 We are playing to win.
17:32 We are playing to win.
17:36 We are playing to win.
17:40 We are playing to win.
17:44 We are playing to win.
17:49 We have to be focused.
17:52 We have to play from the first minute.
17:56 We are only reacting when there is an emergency.
18:00 We have to be self-critical.
18:04 We know that we are not playing as we want.
18:08 But we are on the way.
18:12 We believe in what we are doing.
18:17 We believe in the way we play.
18:20 Tomorrow is a great opportunity.
18:24 It can be a turning point.
18:28 We have the chance to qualify for the group stage.
18:32 We have to qualify for the Champions League.
18:36 It is a goal.
18:40 It is the best moment in football.
18:45 What do you think about the diagnosis?
18:48 How are you feeling?
18:52 Are you feeling strong?
18:56 The diagnosis is clear.
19:00 We are telling the players that we have failed.
19:04 We have failed in the high pressure, in the loss.
19:08 We have failed in the intensity, in the mentality.
19:13 We have to be strong and we will play well.
19:16 We will get results.
19:20 If not, I would not be here.
19:24 I am the first to believe in it.
19:28 We have done it and I think we will do it again.
19:32 You are aware that we are in the two most decisive weeks.
19:36 Tomorrow's game is very important.
19:41 You can play a lot.
19:44 You and the team.
19:48 You tell me this every press conference.
19:52 This is Barça. We play a lot.
19:56 The results will mark the future of the season.
20:00 Nothing changes.
20:04 In a month's time, the Super Cup will come.
20:09 It is the extra pressure of being here as a Barça coach.
20:12 Nothing changes.
20:16 We have to play well and play in the best way possible.
20:20 Nothing changes.
20:24 Tomorrow's game is vital for this competition.
20:28 Jordi Blanco.
20:32 Good morning, Xavi.
20:37 Good morning.
20:40 I am sorry, I do not mean tomorrow's game.
20:44 You admit that Barça is playing badly.
20:48 That they are not in their best moment.
20:52 Do you think that if you had reached Vallecas with 4, 5 or 6 points more
20:56 due to mistakes that occurred before,
21:00 the moral situation of the team and around the team would be different?
21:05 Do you think that you are hurting them?
21:08 In Getafe, Granada, in the Clásico.
21:12 Yes, of course.
21:16 It is clear that we would have arrived much calmer.
21:20 Going to four points from the leader, Real Madrid,
21:24 provisional, without Girona playing today.
21:28 Yes, we have not been lucky, I said in Vallecas.
21:33 You tell me that I protect my excuses.
21:36 No, we have to play better.
21:40 We have not been harmed by arbitrary mistakes.
21:44 Yes, we have not been lucky.
21:48 Good afternoon, Xavi.
21:52 I wanted to ask you about the criticism.
21:56 Do you get tired?
22:01 How much does it reach the coach?
22:04 I'm fine, I'm with energy, I'm positive.
22:08 More positive than ever and I have to be.
22:12 I am the one who leads this team.
22:16 I believe in the players.
22:20 We have done it, we have played very well, we have won titles last year.
22:24 I believe in my players, in the team, in the staff, in the work.
22:29 I was taught that the more I work, the more luck I have.
22:32 Therefore, to work and think about what we can control.
22:36 Criticism is always there.
22:40 It is a reminder of what I lived in the past as a footballer.
22:44 Nothing changes.
22:48 Good morning.
22:52 You said a few days ago that now is the time of the coach.
22:57 You have been a player for a long time.
23:00 Does a coach sometimes feel alone in difficult moments?
23:04 Luckily not.
23:08 I have the confidence of the president, of Beko.
23:12 I have a loyal staff.
23:16 They are friends, apart from my brother, and the players.
23:20 I think the players are with the staff, with the team.
23:25 If not, we would have tried.
23:28 This is football, like last year.
23:32 Last year, things did not go well, but in the end they did.
23:36 We believed in this.
23:40 The players did very well, there is a very good dressing room.
23:44 For all these reasons, I firmly believe that things will work out.
23:48 Good morning.
23:53 The team seems to react when it receives the first blow.
23:56 Why does this happen?
24:00 What should be changed so that the team enters from minute 1 as when it receives the first blow?
24:04 That mentality, to change it.
24:08 We have to be more focused.
24:12 I have said many times that we have given away many things this season.
24:16 Last year we did not give away anything.
24:21 That's why we got more results.
24:24 We have less points in LaLiga than last year.
24:28 In the Champions League we are in a better situation than last year.
24:32 We depend on ourselves tomorrow.
24:36 In LaLiga we have to improve and give away less.
24:40 Good afternoon.
24:44 The team has had better moments.
24:49 What reasons do you think invite this optimism?
24:52 To believe that the team will rise in the most difficult situation in the calendar.
24:56 We have done it.
25:00 The same players as last year did it.
25:04 We have played many difficult games.
25:08 Atletico and Bilbao at home, Sevilla at home, Betis at home.
25:12 We have played very good games.
25:17 We have to believe that the game will come back and the results will come.
25:20 It is a matter of patience and we have to do it now.
25:24 Tomorrow we have the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.
25:28 The mentality cannot fail.
25:32 It is a final for us tomorrow.
25:36 We have to keep working.
25:40 Hello Xavi.
25:45 João Pedro, RTP.
25:48 Two questions.
25:52 One about Porto.
25:56 Barcelona won 1-0.
26:00 What is Porto waiting for tomorrow?
26:04 And how do you see the work of Sergio Conceição?
26:08 The work of Conceição speaks for itself.
26:13 They are a very hard-working team.
26:16 They know what they have to do.
26:20 They are a very pressing team.
26:24 They don't give up easily.
26:28 They are a high-level rival.
26:32 Tomorrow we have a very important test.
26:36 We suffered in Porto.
26:41 We had to go to the changing room.
26:44 Gabi was sent off.
26:48 But Porto dominated us in the last half hour.
26:52 Tomorrow is a very strong rival.
26:56 A very important test for us.
27:00 I would like to ask about the list of players.
27:04 How is Ter Stegen?
27:09 When will he be back?
27:12 Tomorrow he will be back.
27:16 He hasn't trained with the group.
27:20 He is one of the captains.
27:24 He wants to try tomorrow.
27:28 João Puquim.
27:32 Good afternoon.
27:37 How important is it for you to play in a match like tomorrow?
27:41 The team is calm.
27:45 They can face the last match.
27:49 They have a goal.
27:53 How important is it for the team to feel supported by the fans?
27:58 It will be cold and complicated.
28:02 It is fundamental for us.
28:06 It is a very important match.
28:09 It is vital for us.
28:13 We have to remember where we come from.
28:17 We have to play a lot.
28:21 The fans have to know.
28:25 They have to be with the team.
28:29 Marcelo.
28:34 There is a lot of self-criticism about the team.
28:37 About the attitude and mentality.
28:41 The players are not playing as they should.
28:45 They want to play better.
28:49 Why are things not going well?
28:53 I think I said it.
28:57 I am very critical of the players.
29:02 We have to demand a lot.
29:05 We have to be self-critical.
29:09 We are not at the level we were two months ago.
29:13 We have to recover that level.
29:17 We have to play better.
29:21 We have to recover the intensity and the winning mentality.
29:25 We have to recover that.
29:30 We have to be more humble.
29:33 We have to work more.
29:37 We have to be more compact.
29:41 We have to improve a lot.
29:45 We have to improve a lot.
29:49 We have to improve a lot.
29:53 We have to improve a lot.
29:58 We have to improve a lot.
30:01 We are the team that generates the most.
30:05 Spain for sure.
30:09 We have to be more effective.
30:13 We have to be more aggressive.
30:17 We have to be more aggressive.
30:21 We have to be more aggressive.
30:26 We have to be more aggressive.
30:29 We have to be more aggressive.
30:33 We have to be more aggressive.
30:37 We have to be more aggressive.
30:41 We have to be more aggressive.
30:45 We have to be more aggressive.
30:49 We have to be more aggressive.
30:54 We have to be more aggressive.
30:57 We have to be more aggressive.
31:01 We have to be more aggressive.
31:05 We have to be more aggressive.
31:09 We have to be more aggressive.
31:13 We have to be more aggressive.
31:17 We have to be more aggressive.
31:22 We have to be more aggressive.
31:25 We have to be more aggressive.
31:29 We have to be more aggressive.
31:33 We have to be more aggressive.
31:37 We have to be more aggressive.
31:41 We have to be more aggressive.
31:45 We have to be more aggressive.
31:50 We have to be more aggressive.
31:53 We have to be more aggressive.
31:57 We have to be more aggressive.
32:01 We have to be more aggressive.
32:05 We have to be more aggressive.
32:09 We have to be more aggressive.
32:13 We have to be more aggressive.
32:18 We have to be more aggressive.
32:21 We have to be more aggressive.
32:25 We have to be more aggressive.
32:29 We have to be more aggressive.
32:33 We have to be more aggressive.
32:37 We have to be more aggressive.
32:41 We have to be more aggressive.
32:46 The president has just spoken.
32:49 He says that he closes ranks with Xavi and reaffirms his confidence in him.
32:55 How do you receive these words?
32:59 Amen.
33:02 If I said it before, you don't believe me.
33:07 I feel a lot of confidence in the president.
33:14 I have a very good relationship with him.
33:17 There is a lot of faith in this project.
33:21 Both Deco and the president, the board, Rafa, Marquez, everyone.
33:26 We are all adding up so that things go well.
33:30 If things don't go well, I'll be the first to say that it didn't go well, but we tried.
33:35 But let's try.
33:39 Ricardo.
33:41 Thank you very much.
33:44 You have spoken about mentality several times today.
33:49 The other day after Vallecas you said that we have to change our mentality of winning games.
33:54 The fact that we won LaLiga and the Super Cup has affected us.
33:58 To what extent, as a footballer, have you won so much?
34:02 Can you understand that a team that wins LaLiga and the Super Cup can lower that intensity or can reach that relaxation?
34:08 It happens.
34:10 The most difficult thing in sport is to win after winning.
34:14 That's why these individual athletes who don't stop winning, it's a drug for them to win.
34:19 They have a tremendous admiration.
34:23 And this is what we have to try to do. Win after winning.
34:27 We have already won. Last year we won, but we have to win more things.
34:31 We have to have a winning mentality, be a competitive beast, a competitive animal.
34:36 That's what it's about.
34:38 We react only in the second half when we are losing 1-0.
34:43 From minute one, tomorrow, at full speed.
34:47 This is football, this is sport.
34:50 Winning after winning is the most difficult thing.
34:53 Marc.
34:56 Hi.
34:58 I don't know if you have the feeling that you won't win tomorrow,
35:03 but the classification is still possible and very viable.
35:06 There would be a small, emotional, football-related crisis.
35:10 Some fans are already a bit nervous.
35:13 I don't know if you think that not winning tomorrow would mean a small crisis.
35:17 Well, here, always.
35:20 This is Barça. Here we have to win always.
35:23 Every week you ask me if the good or the transcendent is coming.
35:27 Always. In Barça it's a requirement.
35:31 There are always criticisms. It's normal.
35:33 They are accepted. It's the criticism that helps to improve.
35:36 To be more forceful, more positive, more winning mentality.
35:41 This is Barça. Barça is the maximum requirement.
35:44 Thank you. Good afternoon.
35:48 Thank you.
35:49 (crunching)
35:51 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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