The culé is back. In the four official matches (Rayo, Valladolid, Viktoria Pilsen and Elche) 327,560 spectators have gathered, leaving an average of 81,890, a figure that confirms the return of the fan to his temple. And he has done it, moreover, in a very noisy way, connecting the culé people to the rebuilt Barça that Xavi is leading from the bench until taking him to the provisional leadership with his victory over Elche (3-0, with two goals from Lewandowski).
“There is enthusiasm, expectations generated and this illusion is palpable in the stadium. You see it on the street, you see it in the stadium and when more than 85,000 people come it shows that Barcelona is present there, more alive than ever. People are plugged in “, recognized Xavi, indicating that the public “has enjoyed a lot because they see that we run and give everything”
Barça is so rebuilt that not one of the four captains set foot on the pitch to play for a minute. Busquets, Jordi Alba and Piqué were on the bench and Sergi Roberto, with physical discomfort, he was left out of the call. “It’s a remarkable start, a remarkable start”, commented Xavi lamenting “the lack of efficiency” shown against Rayo Vallecano on the opening day, the only puncture in the League.
At the end of the game, with a comfortable 3-0 win over Elche, the ‘sacred cows’ appeared for specific training. The starters were enjoying the shower and the comforting victory, which certifies the almost perfect start of Barça in the League: 16 points out of 18 possible. And an impressive scoring mark with 18 goals for and only one against.
“We are a very broad squad, everyone is prepared for when the team needs it”, said Xavi, indicating that “we need the whole group and it’s about making a family because whoever plays is up to scratch”. In that sense, the coach is clear. “The squads win the titles, not the eleven starters”, added the Barça coach.
“Pedri is a superlative footballer, he understands the game, he marks differences with passes, with goals, he hardly loses balls. He must be decisive, he is comparable, and at 19 years old, to the best footballers who have passed through here”
Xavi, Barça coach
“Winning must be a drug in the good sense of the word for us”, recognized Xavi, also praising Pedri. “He is a superlative footballer, he understands the game, he marks differences with passes, with goals, he hardly loses balls. He must be decisive, he is comparable, and at 19 years old, to the best footballers who have passed through here”, he said about the youngster canary, indicating that “we must take care of it and we must pamper it”.
Barça finished with a team that had an average age of 21.9 years
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A Barça where there was no room for veterans because the youngsters (Pedri, Gavi, Balde, Ansu, Ferran Torres, Araujo, Koundé…) are conquering their territory. The team finished with an average of 21.9 years, which reveals that process of absolute rejuvenation. Only Ter Stegen, 30 years old, and Lewandowski, 34, are over thirty.
“What has surprised me about Lewandowski is his human facet. He is very humble, very hard-working, very professional. He has surprised me a lot. He is very hungry. It is a luxury for us to have him on the team”
Xavi, Barça coach
The coach was blunt about the Polish striker: “What has surprised me is his human facet. He is very humble, very hard-working, very professional. He has surprised me a lot. He is very hungry. It is a luxury for us to have him on the team”, he has Xavi remembered about the striker who has scored 11 goals (eight in the league) in eight games.