Xavi played down the Camp Nou’s whistles for Ousmane Dembele, and defended Ferran Torres who was left in tears after he missed three chances to win the game for Barcelona against Napoli.
Dembele seemed unaffected by deafening jeers from Barça fans when he came on as a second half substitute. He was the best player on the pitch for the last 20 minutes.
In contrast Torres was inconsolable after he twice missed late chances to put Barcelona 2-1 up.
But of his misfiring striker Xavi was full of praise comparing his situation with Luis Suarez who went on to become Barcelona’s third-time leading scorer.
‘We were just making a comparison in the dressing room,’ he said. ‘It happened to Luis Suarez, who looked like he didn't have a goal in him [when he arrived].
‘The Barça shirt weighs a little heavier. But I'm delighted to have him [Torres] in the team and he will bring us a lot of joy.
‘He’s scored goals all his life and he will score for us. In training he is one of those who scores the most. He has our absolute confidence. This won't affect him [long term]. Me and my staff will make sure of that. He is very strong. He just demands a lot of himself.’
Of Dembele Xavi was asked about the Camp Nou’s reaction to the player who will leave the club for free at the end of the season after refusing to sign a new contract on a reduced salary.
Xavi had asked supporters not to jeer the player who he wants to use between now and the end of the season: ‘The crowd didn't listen to me,’ he said.
'But in the end it turned into applause. Now we have whistled him and that's it. It's over. The news is that the whistles have turned into applause’.
In truth the applause only came after Dembele showed he was completely unfazed by the extraordinary reaction. The player, who Barcelona believe as an agreement to join Paris Saint Germain on a free this summer, was told he would not play anymore if he stayed at the club beyond the transfer window.
Xavi was also asked about former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who was tidy on his full debut but showed not of the explosive goal threat that once made him prolific at Arsenal.
He said: ‘He was very good in space and intense with his pressing. He tried the goals will come for him.’
Sammysam1
10
His plan is to play good football for 5 consecutive matches, then resume his hospital duties 😂😂🏥