"Playing in USA one day after a La Liga game? We have to adapt"

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Thursday after losing 2-3 to Club America of Mexico that some of the players he used are "not yet ready" to be in the first team. "There are players who are not yet in the first team. 16, 17, 18, 19 years old, it's too early for them, it's a lot of responsibility. But the club has this situation, a complicated situation, that they have to take, the responsibility," said the coach in statements to 'TUDN' after the match.

Xavi gave goalkeeper Ander Astarlaga (19) and defenders Pau Cubarse (16) and Gerard Martin (21) their debuts in the starting eleven. In the second half, Diego Kochen (17) made his debut in place of Astarlaga. The team also included other young players who are usually under Rafa Marquez's orders in the reserve or youth teams, such as Marc Casadó, Héctor Fort and Unai. "Rafa is training them very well," said Xavi Hernández about the Mexican's work with the reserve team.

On the match, the Catalan coach said that the two teams "offered a show, chances and goals" in a match that "the people enjoyed, the ones who came to the stadium". Club America are "a very good team, intense, very technically gifted, they don't give the ball away, it's no coincidence that they have become champions," said Xavi, who predicted "a good future" for Andre Jardine's men.

Finally, on playing in the United States 24 hours after an official match against Almeria in Barcelona, Xavi was resigned when he mentioned the team's financial situation: "We have to adapt.

 

December 22, 2023