Xavi Speaks On Pique Scandal Amid Cadiz Defeat Ahead Of FC Barcelona’s Real Sociedad Clash

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has spoken on the scandal involving his defender Gerard Pique, Monday’s shock defeat to Cadiz in La Liga, and tomorrow’s meeting with Real Sociedad.

A report from El Confidencial and leaked audios highlighted how Pique colluded with Royal Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales to push the Spanish Super Cup towards Saudi Arabia in order to gain a healthy commission, but Xavi doesn’t see his number ‘3’ as pre-occupied by the row.

“He likes to be on people’s lips,” Xavi said. “I prefer to be more cautious, him not so much. But this is Pique. If he was distracted, I’d be the first to tell him. But this gives you gasoline, it’s like a drug. It gives him adrenaline.”

Xavi denied there had been an argument between him and his former teammate on the topic, but he “made things clear” to the 35-year-old, who could return from injury to play at Anoeta tomorrow.

“Not at all,” Xavi answered, when asked if he had been bothered by Pique holding a Twitch session an hour after Barca’s loss to Cadiz on Monday. “It bothers me if they are not focused on their work, if they do not give everything in the game.

“But it’s Gerard, I know him well. I know how to manage him, he manages himself well, and I think he’s even doing well to compete. He needs these stimuli to compete better. I don’t have a problem with it.”

Xavi admitted that he was irked by the Cadiz defeat and the drop in form from his men who recently lost a 15-game unbeaten streak both domestically and on the continent.

“I like to win, I like to win titles. But this is the reality. We are not going to change one iota of what we believe. We have beaten the greats of this country – Atletico [Madrid], Sevilla, [Real] Madrid. You have to keep believing in this. I am stubborn but it is part of the coach’s world and we have no choice but to insist,” Xavi said.

As for the battle for second place in La Liga, which sees three teams currently locked on 60 points each, Xavi insisted that his players know the stakes as per Champions League qualification next term.

“They have to play better, compete better, have more desire. They are players who have won things in their career. They have to be more humble than ever and accept that they have to try to be second. It’s hard to get excited, I admit, but it is what it is right now,” Xavi finished on this.