Xavi Hernandez has assessed how his Barcelona team is coming into the Joan Gamper Trophy, the last game before LaLiga Santander kicks off next week against Rayo Vallecano.
Dani Alves’ Pumas are the opponents for Sunday’s game, in which Barcelona will be presented in front of their home crowd.
The Catalan coach is satisfied with the pre-season and with the squad he has. Joan Laporta has so far closed five signings: Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski, and has secured two renewals in Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto.
“The team is very good, we have a very good feeling from the training sessions,” Xavi explained in his pre-match press conference.
“Everyone is training very well, with intensity, with good rhythm. The [pre-season] tour was very positive. We’ve trained this week, in the heat, but it’s what we have to do.
“We have generated a lot of enthusiasm, I saw it yesterday at Robert’s presentation. We also have a lot of enthusiasm.
“The objective this year is to win titles and play good football. We want to make the people happy, they deserve it.”
Xavi then spoke about Sunday’s opponents, and Dani Alves.
“Pumas are a team with pace, in the middle of their competition, with a good coach. They have good players, apart from Dani, with Salvio on the wings,” he said.
“It will be difficult to counter attack against them. They usually play with a three-man defensive line, they will be complicated and intense opponents.
“It’s the last game [before the start of the season], I’ll share the minutes.
“It will also serve as a farewell to Dani Alves. He deserves it. When I told him he had to leave the club I told him he deserved a tribute. I talked it over with the president to make it happen.”
