Undermined by defensive concerns during the draw against Inter Milan (3-3) which pushed them to the brink of elimination from the C1 on Wednesday, FC Barcelona will find a Jules Koundé "100%" for the clasico de Liga against Real Madrid on Sunday (4:15 p.m.), assured Xavi on Saturday.
“He is fine, he is 100%.
He is happy and in good physical shape.
He trained hard and he is available, ”reassured Xavi, without specifying whether the French international defender will start or not.
Many absences in the defensive sector
Transferred this summer to FC Barcelona for five years and 50 million euros, Koundé has been a good defensive guarantee for Xavi since the start of the season... but his absence, combined with those of many other defenders (Christensen, Araujo, Bellerin) damaged Barca against Inter on Wednesday.
The Catalan technician has however assured that this slap will not affect his players for Sunday's poster.
“The previous match is the one to which you attach the least importance when you are a player.
Last year, we were not in a good dynamic, and we had beaten them, ”recalled Xavi.
“We almost had a day when we shouldn't have.
I myself am a supporter of Barça, I have empathy, I am sad too.
But we have to stay positive.
I came to reverse the situation, and we can always do it.
When I think it won't be possible anymore, I'll go home.
I won't be a problem for Barça the day they think I'm no longer the right solution.
But for now, I'm optimistic, Xavi clarified.
We are on the right path.
We make a splendid Liga.
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Vinicius, main alert
The Blaugrana tactician has assured that he will change 'little' defensively from his layout last March, which resulted in a crushing surprise 4-0 win for the Catalans.
“We don't have Ronald (Araujo), who stopped Vinicius last season.
So whoever plays on the right will have to be very good, but he will have help.
It is a collective work.
Apart from Vinicius, it's more the whole block of Real that concerns me, ”slipped Xavi.
Finally, the former glory of Camp Nou assured that he loves playing against Real.
“No doubt, you benefit more as a player than as a coach.
Coach, it's ungrateful.
It's better to be a player.
(…) I am a competitor, and I love playing against Real Madrid”, concluded Xavi.