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NEWS | Supercopa
14 January 2023

Xavi: “I would change roles with anyone to play in this final"

The FC Barcelona coach highlights the importance of the Supercopa and what it would mean if they win: "We are motivated and excited".

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández analysed the Supecopa final in the King Fahd press room, highlighting the level of the game against Real Madrid. It will be a match that he described as "a great opportunity", both for the trophy and for the team they will face; Xavi is so motivated that he would love to play it on the pitch. "I'd swap roles with any player, even those on the bench to play in this game; a final against Real Madrid, everyone could see me play... that's what we're playing for", he reflected.

Xavi was clear. "It's an opportunity to win a title, the Supercopa; we're especially excited about it because it's a classic game against Real Madrid... it would mean a lot to Barcelona fans to win it", he said. "We are motivated and excited, and it would mean a lot to win", he insisted. "The season will continue, whatever it happens tomorrow, but if we won, the motivation would be very different", he explained.

Regarding Sunday's opponents, Xavi explained that Real Madrid is "a very strong opponent in all aspects: physically, tactically, with players who make a difference in attack, a very strong midfield, and a very important competitive spirit at finals". "All of that is what we have to overcome", he added.

Xavi gave two clues to face Real Madrid. A sporting one: "We must try to play like we did in the first half of the semi-final in the first 60 minutes of the game against Betis". The second clue was psychological about mentality: "Real Madrid has more experience in finals, but we must have the yearning to win". "There are many players who have not won tournaments with Barcelona, and I see it as an advantage: tomorrow they have a tremendous opportunity", he concluded.