Xavi: Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are an example to the new generations
The coach hailed the departing Blaugrana legends after their last Camp Nou match
Xavi thoroughly enjoyed his team's performance against Mallorca and also the party organised afterwards. He wanted a victory to get rid of the bad taste in his mouth after the last two defeats against Real Sociedad and especially the one in Valladolid, where Barça showed very little competitive tension. But yesterday everything went smoothly except for Balde's injury.
The team started with a bang as before the first minute they were already winning, Ter Stegen managed to equal Liaño's record of 26 clean sheets (Deportivo, 93-94) and Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were able to have a fantastic farewell with a victory in a Spotify Camp Nou that was brimming with joy and nostalgia in equal measure.
Xavi was ecstatic. "They've been able to go out winning and being recognised. It was a great tribute, goosebumps. I love them very much, they are friends. They are an example for the new generations. The full-back and the midfielder who come in will have to be like Alba and Busquets," said the Barcelona coach.
Xavi acknowledged that the departure of the full-back is less problematic at squad level because he has Balde and Marcos Alonso and that in midfield a major signing must come in. "We don't have a natural replacement for Busi. It's difficult to replace players of his stature but we have to do it. We have to be competitive. I want to thank them for their commitment and involvement throughout the season," he added.
Of the match, he explained that he told the players that they could not fail on such a special afternoon for the club. "It was very important to win, to make people enjoy the game and to have more rhythm in the match. The team took a step forward, we created a lot of chances to score. The team wanted to put on a show.
On saying goodbye to the Spotify Camp Nou, he admitted that some very special moments also came to mind. "It was a bittersweet feeling. Sad and with a lot of memories. We have enjoyed this stadium and hopefully in a year and a half we will enjoy the new one, which will be better".
