Barcelona were without their starting striker (Robert Lewandowski), starting right-winger (Raphinha), starting central midfielders (Frenkie de Jong and Pedri), and their starting centre-backs (Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde) as they took on Athletic Club tonight.
Xavi had to opt for a makeshift starting lineup, using Fermin Lopez as the false 9, while Ferran Torres and Joao Felix manned the wings.
They had a few chances across the opening 80 minutes, but were unable to convert any chances despite a man-of-the-match performance from Joao Felix.
Eventually, though, the deadlock was broken through 17-year-old debutant Marc Guiu, who scored with his second touch of the game.
Xavi praised him after the match, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, saying, “Although he’s only 17, I think Marc Guiu is ready. It’s time to bet on these players.”
“I told Marc Guiu: ‘You will have one chance, be ready’ And he did. He had one chance and he scored it.”
“I learned this from other managers: When things aren’t going well, you have to play La Masia players. Homegrown players. We played Marc and he gave us the win.”
He also said, “In my time, the youngsters were very scared. These new players aren’t afraid of everything. They are hungry and sharp.”
“If we analyze the match, the first half was not good. We couldn’t play out from the back against Bilbao’s press. We managed it well in the second half,” Xavi said during his post-game pressers.
“Few teams apply the pressure that Athletic did for 90 minutes. We knew it and Ernesto was brave, his proposal was very good.”
“We have a lot of injured players, but it’s not an excuse. We changed the system to find the balance.”
He addressed specific injuries, as well: “Kounde and Sergi Roberto are definitely out for El Clasico. As for the rest, it will depend on their feelings.”
Alejandro Balde came off in the 79th minute limping, which certainly scared Barcelona fans. However, Xavi confirmed the player was just fatigued.
“Balde isn’t injured. He was just tired.”
Xavi was also asked about Jude Bellingham’s potential red card during Sevilla 1-1 Real Madrid, but he refused to comment on the issue, “I don’t know if Bellingham was supposed to get red carded. The referee decides. It doesn’t interest me.”
Xavi also held Felix and Inigo Martinez’s performances in high regard, praising them, “Joao Felix played a great match. The position he plays in makes a big difference for us and he is in a very good moment.”
“I already said that Iñigo will be important. It was a very personal signing for me and I have great confidence in it. Today was at a very high level and he will help us a lot without any doubt.”