Xavi: I don't see a problem with Jules Kounde
The defender does not like playing at right-back
FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández admitted after the match against Valladolid that he had a meeting with Jules Koundé about his future, but that both he and the player "came away happy". The French defender told him that he wanted to play as a centre-back and not as a full-back, as he has been doing regularly throughout the current season.
"I spoke to him, yes, we were happy and everything was clear. I don't see any problems. We both came out of the meeting happy," said Xavi in the José Zorrilla press room.
Xavi, on the other hand, had no choice but to accept the defeat and the disappointment of the 3-1 defeat against Valladolid. For Xavi, the negative result was the result of a lack of tension and mistakes made by the team. In any case, he made it clear that the season has been a success after winning the Super Cup and the league.
"It's difficult to prepare for these games, but the objective was achieved. The result was the result of a lack of tension, we tried, but we made mistakes and, like that, it costs twice as much," said Xavi.
For the FC Barcelona coach "we were good for the first 20 minutes: we created four or five clear chances". In the second half, he said, "we lowered the level of play". And he admitted that "the result is fair" and acknowledged that "they were more in need than us".
Of Valladolid, he commented that "we knew that they alternated the two systems, with a line of five or four defenders, but they needed the win. They pressed well up front and came out well on the counter, but we made mistakes and gave them a certain advantage. We failed. We didn't play our best, the result of a lack of tension and having the title in our hands".
Xavi said he understood the 'downturn' of the players, who "are carrying a huge burden. It's been a World Cup year and that weighs on them. We, in any case, have covered our objective with the Super Cup and the league, but today we didn't give a good account of ourselves, only in the last half hour of the first half. We have two games left and we have to improve".
Of Ter Stegen he commented that "we changed Marc to protect his Zamora award and because Iñaki deserves it.
Congratulations because he has made his debut in the First Division". And he was delighted with Lewandowski's goal, which "brings him closer to the Pichichi".
And on the decision of the Competition Committee to withdraw the ban on Vinicius, Xavi commented that "this is a matter for the Competition Committee. I can't give my opinion. The sending off has nothing to do with that. But the Competition Committee decides. What I think about racism I made clear in the press conference before the game against Valladolid".
