FC Barcelona plays tomorrow its fifth final of the Champions League consecutive and if there is someone happy for it and to see the fruits of their work at the head of the section is Xavi Puig, responsible manager of the female Barça. As it is tradition, we chat with him at the gates of the Champions League final to review the new feat of the team.
One more year here in the previous interview with the Champions League final.
Yes, yes, yes. Now we commented. In addition, look, when I woke up today I have thought about it. I say, if I see Angel means it is good and then yes, it is the fifth consecutive final. Two years ago we talked about the third. I remember the Wolfsburg. We did the interview right here and well, evolving. A solid project, eager to arrive this Saturday, the game and obviously, to see if we can win it.
Has the club, Barcelona, has recovered happiness?
Yes, yes. The truth is that. When we arrived at the club, one of the things we said in pre -campaign and in the campaign was that we wanted to return joy to Barcelona, and I believe that in these four years it has been shown that it has been so. And we are tremendously happy of what is happening. This is a marriage to the fans, a marriage with Barcelona, is Barcelona in Vena. And what is happening is very nice.
Xavi Puig, director of FC Barcelona, during the interview with Mundo Deportivo
Fifth consecutive final, is the confirmation of a promotion project?
Yes, yes. The project is growing year after year in every way: economic, social and sports. In the economical, I remember when we got here, we were with a budget of five million, losing four. And now we are with a twenty budget, winning two. That is, something is happening. Socially, too. Before we commented: the joy that Barcelona is living and also the fans of female Barça is tremendous. We have won all local titles, league champions for six consecutive years, Queen Cup, Super Cup … all competitions. And that is what is marked as a target female Barça: win everything. And the truth is what is happening.
Engen and Rolfö told MD these days that when Lyon won 8 Champions, the competition was less. Is that more meritorious the success of this team?
I think so. The evolution of women's football has been constant and gradual in recent years. I would tell you that in the last seven years we are seeing a total transformation. Especially with the bets that make clubs in England, such as Arsenal, Manchester City, United, Chelsea … are making very large bets not only at a social, also economic level. So Fridolina Rolfö and Ingrid Engen are right. It is not the same to win now as ten or twelve years ago. Although we do not take merit to Lyon, who did and does a very meritorious job to give visibility to women's sport.
What does Barça have for players to choose it above other major money offers?
I always tell the players: “Outside of Barça it is very cold.” And not only because of the country's climate, but also from the sports point of view. In Barça we have a project, we have the farmhouse, base football. Players who start from girls here, not only learning football, but also the values and DNA of the club. This project is firm, and the players want to be in a club where they are respected and dignified. That is what we do at Barça, or at least what we try to do.
Xavi Puig, director of FC Barcelona, during the interview with Mundo Deportivo
Pere Romeu, like Flick, arrived last summer and signed until 2026. The German signed this week until 2027, and Pere?
We are delighted with Pere Romeu. He is a professional like the cup of a pine. It comes from base football, from the masculine, has the DNA culé on the four sides. We are delighted with the work you are doing. In these five years that I take to the front of the female we have lived a total evolution, in everything. It is not the same when we arrive that what is currently happening. And Pere is following this highway of growth, consolidation and professionalism. We are delighted with him and hopefully many years with us, because that will mean that things are going very well.
At the beginning of the season there were some doubts. How did you live it?
With a lot of peace of mind. Pere comes from the house and was already with Giráldez. I am a person who sees many training, I like to hear what they tell you. We knew it was a safe bet, knowing that things when they do well, projected well and work well, always come to fruition. There were doubts, as also happened with Giráldez. We lost in semifinals against Chelsea at home 0-1. But nothing happens, this is sport. Sometimes you win, sometimes it is lost. What happens is that we are getting used to always winning. And allow me to say it: we are normalizing excellence. We won leagues, we won Champions, and it seems that it is normal. And it is not. We are working hard to achieve it. And a day will come to make it more difficult, and it won't mean that we are worse or work differently, but football is evolutionary.
Caroline Graham told MD that Pere told them exactly what would happen against Chelsea if they did a series of things, and so it was.
When you have the best professionals in each position, that happens. If you pay attention to the coach, who also knows a lot, because if you do what he says and do it well, the results come out. That happened against Chelsea. Two excellent games at all points of view and won by far. You do your homework, you work well, and the results arrive.
What atmosphere is in the locker room these days?
We made a meeting with the wardrobe with the president, as we always do before these important parties. We talked with players, staff, coaching staff, coach … yesterday the 'Presi' told me: they have the face of winners. They are an example and yesterday we live it, the atmosphere is good in the locker room. We don't know what will happen. It is a final, a team will win, hope it is Barça of course. The history and trajectory lead to that it should be Barça. It would be very nice to achieve that triplet followed in Champions and would give us hegemonic in European and also worldwide football.
And now, as a footballer … how do you see that arsenal-barça of the final?
I am very football, I love football, I always liked it. I see two very strong teams, with very ascending dynamics. As I told you last year and two years ago with Wolfsburg and Lyon that were more strength and individualities, Arsenal plays a bit like us, like to have the ball, play for the bands. There are similarities. But I think today, winning Barça is very difficult. For mentality, for how you work, for the players. I see a balanced game, hopefully it is wrong and it is not. It is a final and you have to respect an opponent who won his last European title in 2007, they want to win it again and make history. But they will have it very complicated.
Xavi Puig, director of FC Barcelona, during the interview with Mundo Deportivo
How do you live these days? Many nerves? Do you change routines?
Yes, I am a nervous person. I like to think about what is going to happen. Sometimes it's good, sometimes bad. I am very confident for what the team has done and for the work from the Board of Directors. I live it with uneasiness, but knowing that the job has been done. Whatever happens, we will continue to be the best team in the world and with the restlessness that causes you to know that you are a favorite.
Is the tie prepared?
Prepared. Before they said I was in formalin, now there are already dry cleaires. I always carry it in these games. I have two, just in case and with these I have never failed. I hope they give me that fool point. It is a final, of course I will take it.
At the level of hobby, you can overcome what has been lived in Bilbao last year now in Lisbon?
What I do tell you is that we have more fans every day. They take us in volandas. It is a team accustomed to going with his hobby of his hand, not only in the Johan, who fills each game, but also in these finals. They are our number twelve player. It is magical. He wants Barça and demonstrates every game. He goes in ancestry and I am very excited when we talk about our fans because for us it is indispensable and very magical.
The team moves many people.
Mobilize those here, those there … We are at a time that we are, let me say it in quotes, the envy of Europe and the world. When we travel we notice it. People who come to the airport, fans … is a transcendental and basic hobby and we are in love with our hobby
Read too
Will there be celebration if they win?
When you win, it is celebrated. This is so. Maximum respect because we have not yet won, but yes. When we arrive in Barcelona, it is in the oven, we will have our party with our hobby and it will be very nice
