Xavi: "I don't like the word failure"

PreviousLive Chronicle

Xavi hugs Ansu Fati after retiring injured.

EFE

In a colossal game, which was reminiscent of the one that Athletic and Barcelona played in 2011, also under the incessant rain, also with a tie at two in the ninety-minute result, also equalized by the azulgranas, then a azulgrana, in the last moment, on that occasion for Messi, this time it was expensive for Athletic.

That day Xavi Hernández managed his team from the field, and Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola conducted the orchestra in the band.

De Marcos and Muniain remained on the field from that match in Athletic;

Alves, Piqué and Busquets for Barça.

All were once again protagonists in the cup tie.

MORE INFORMATION

San Mamés devours Barça

And especially the rojiblanco gale in many moments, says Xavi, the Barcelona coach: "Athletic's intensity has surpassed us, in duels," he pointed out. “Each ball was like the last for them. In San Mamés it is like that. They had different ways to enter, they were very well arranged. I think that in summary, they have beaten us by intensity”, because, “if you don't beat them in the duels it is difficult to get the match. It is a very intense Athletic, very difficult to win”. The conclusion of the Barcelona coach: “We have to change this dynamic, we have to work. We still have the League, we still have the Europa League, and we have to lift our spirits".

Xavi Hernández highlighted the merits of his rival to focus on his own shortcomings: “Athletic is a team that swings well, and we had to have more patience to find the moment.

In Ferrán Torres' goal we had it, but in general we are lacking that patience”, that he was left in limbo in extra time: “It's hard to digest, so we'll have to lift our spirits from tomorrow”.

It will also be at that time when I count casualties.

“We are going to see how Ansu is, he has been affected by his retirement, and there are also other players who have had problems, such as Jordi Alba or Piqué, we will see”.

Barcelona confirmed shortly after that Ansu Fati has “a muscle injury in the femoral biceps of the left thigh.

Pending tests to know the exact extent of the injury," according to the club's statement.

MEDICAL ANNOUNCEMENT ❗

The first team player Ansu Fati has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of the left thigh.

Pending tests to know the exact extent of the injury pic.twitter.com/maVyi4nuPI

– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) January 20, 2022

The Barça coach accepts the disappointment of elimination, but “I don't like the word failure”, he says, “but it is a failure that helps us to learn. The positive point is that we have fought until the end, and that we have achieved the draw, although in extra time we have not been successful, so I congratulate Athletic”. He did not want to enter into the action of the penalty that gave Athletic the victory: “I am not going to value the work of the referee. I value mine and I gain nothing by doing it.” And he spoke of Dembelé: “He is an important footballer for us but not playing is a decision of the club and ours, we do not make unilateral decisions. It belongs to everyone”.

For Marcelino, the Athletic coach, the night at San Mamés was very different from the others he has experienced: Everyone at the club told me that a Cup night at San Mamés against a great rival is a special night”, he confessed, but in the end it captivated him: “This time it became magical.

I don't think I can forget a night like this."

“I have enjoyed the game of my players, with that camaraderie, and later, when we were already caressing victory, that Chilean came, that equalizing goal, but the team continued, continued and the night became magical.

Thanks to the players and the fans”.

Covering her face with her t-shirt and crying... @ANSUFATI's face says it all!

😔

Leave San Mamés injured #CopaDelReyDAZN 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HseQedSnDw

– DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) January 20, 2022

You can follow EL PAÍS DEPORTES on