Barcelona's coach Xavi reacts during his side's La Liga clash against Elche CF in Barcelona, Spain, on Dec. 18, 2021. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
"Hunger has to motive us," said coach Xavi Hernandez, who hopes to guide Barcelona to their first title this season in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid.
RIYADH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez called for his players to show hunger when they play Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Sunday.
The game offers Barcelona the chance to win their first title of the season, while also giving Xavi an opportunity to lift his first trophy since being appointed just over a year ago.
"Hunger has to motive us," said Xavi, adding, "It's been a long time since we won a title and we have to be hungry as I told the players [in the semifinal] against Real Betis. The youngsters need to show hunger and the veterans, category and experience."
The Barca coach added that he believes Real Madrid will be "very strong physically, tactically and in transitions."
"They are the strongest rivals in La Liga and they are European champions, and they have a competitive gene in finals, so we have to match that."
"A title would mean a lot for us and even more because of who we are playing," he commented.
Jordi Alba (R) of Barcelona vies with Houboulang Mendes of Almeria during their La Liga at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain, on Nov. 5, 2022. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
The coach admitted he was worried by his side's tendency to play 45 good minutes and then see their levels drop in the second, but told the press that even though some players were tired after Thursday's semifinal, he had all of his squad available.
He also commented that a 3-1 La Liga defeat to Real Madrid in October would not affect Sunday's match.
"It's different, we are at a different moment of the season, We are going to show our personality, use our game plan and defend against them in the best possible way," concluded Xavi. ■
