Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has made headlines after confirming that he is taking legal action against two journalists who he claims fabricated stories about him. The reports in question alleged that Xavi was unhappy with a story suggesting he demanded his coaching staff to put their phones on the table to root out a potential leak from his own team. Additionally, another report claimed that Xavi had messaged a journalist to complain about criticism he had received, which was later found to be unsubstantiated. In a news conference before Barcelona’s upcoming LaLiga match against Las Palmas, Xavi expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, “I understand criticism but there is a line. I won’t tolerate lies or people inventing things. It is time to say enough, they are massive lies, so now is the moment to act.”
Xavi has been vocal about the negative impact of media criticism on his team’s performance throughout the season. He previously called out negative press for affecting his squad’s morale and performance. After Barcelona’s recent success in reaching the Champions League quarterfinals and climbing to second place in LaLiga, Xavi highlighted a specific article from December that labeled Barcelona as the “joke” of Europe’s elite competition. This intense media scrutiny has been cited as one of the reasons for Xavi’s decision to step down as coach at the end of the season.
Despite calls for Xavi to reconsider his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, he remains committed to his initial plan. Xavi expressed gratitude for the support from fans and supporters who want him to stay, but he emphasized that he is prioritizing the club’s best interests. Barcelona’s recent impressive form has been bolstered by young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, both of whom have already made appearances for the Spanish national team. Xavi believes that these young players have the potential to make a significant impact at Barcelona and on the world stage.
As Barcelona prepares to face Las Palmas, there are some injury concerns within the squad. Ferran Torres is set to return from injury, while players like Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, and Robert Lewandowski have recovered from minor knocks sustained on international duty. However, Andreas Christensen is sidelined with an injury, and Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Alejandro Balde, and Gavi are still recovering from their respective injuries. Despite these setbacks, Barcelona is hoping to maintain their winning streak and continue their pursuit of success in both domestic and European competitions.
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