SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 4 hrs 5 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Xavi given vote of confidence by Barcelona president Joan Laporta

:Headline: Xavi given vote of confidence by Barcelona president Joan Laporta:
Barcelona president Joan Laporta throws his support behind Xavi amid claims that the manager's job is under threat following the draw with Inter Milan.
Sports Mole

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted that Xavi "has everyone's trust", with the Spaniard's position as head coach of the club not in doubt.

The Catalan outfit have been impressive in La Liga this season, winning seven of their eight matches, remaining unbeaten in the process, while they have scored 20 times and conceded just once.

Barcelona sit top of the table, albeit level on points with Real Madrid, ahead of Sunday's El Clasico at Bernabeu.

The club are facing the prospect of failing to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League for the second season in a row, though, following Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Inter Milan.

Barcelona sit third in Group C, three points behind third-placed Inter, who would qualify for the last-16 alongside Bayern Munich if they beat Viktoria Plzen at home next time out.

There have been suggestions that Xavi's role as head coach is in doubt due to the team's European struggles, but he has been given a vote of confidence by Laporta.

"I still have the same confidence in the team and the coaching staff. It's a team under construction, we know we have to change things," Laporta told Barca TV.

"This squad can compete against the big European clubs. It is necessary to adjust the team with the new players. The league is our goal. Let's go all out for the league.

"Xavi has everyone's trust, he's a great coach, and I'm convinced he will improve and give us a lot of success. I always speak to Xavi in his office after games. I saw him sad and upset, but he has a virtue. When we are in a complicated situation he always sees the positive side.

"I want to say to the fans that I want them to continue believing that we have a very competitive team and that it will give us a lot of joy. The fans have to support Xavi. Xavi needs it."

Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from the draw with Inter by beating Real Madrid this weekend, and Laporta has said that El Clasico provides a "great opportunity" to respond.

"It is a great opportunity for this team at the Bernabeu after Wednesday's result. It's fun to go and play at the Bernabeu. It's one of those games that's fun to play, I've been lucky enough to be involved in some great Barca games," said the president.

"El Clasico is always very important, we have a better system. I hope to be the leader at the end of the game. You will also see the team's ability to answer, when you fall down the most important thing is to get up."

Laporta also confirmed that Jules Kounde is set to return to the squad, with the centre-back pictured back in training this week after recovering from a hamstring issue.

"Kounde will travel to Madrid with the group," he added.

The Frenchman could potentially replace Gerard Pique at the heart of the defence on Sunday, but Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo and Memphis Depay are still on the sidelines through injury. body check tags ::

amp_article__497021 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2022-10-14 21:47:18:
html db last update - 2022-10-14 21:47:18 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Joan Laporta

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
JK
Read Next:
Jules Kounde 'in line to start for Barcelona against Real Madrid'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Joan Laporta Xavi Andreas Christensen Hector Bellerin Ronald Araujo Memphis Depay Gerard Pique Jules Kounde Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Jules Kounde 'in line to start for Barcelona against Real Madrid'
Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!

1

HP

Recalls for Rodrygo, Camavinga: Possible Real Madrid XI vs. Osasuna

2

RF

Blocking exits? Liverpool 'lay out January strategy' amid Alexander-Arnold talk

NEW

3

BE

Preview: Caykur Rizespor vs. Trabzonspor - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PC

Preview: Brighton vs. Man City - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PB

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PR

No waiting around: League One boss 'a leading contender' for Coventry job

7

NW

Preview: Groningen vs. Sparta - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PG

Preview: Brentford vs. Bournemouth - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

Cubarsi concern: Barcelona injury, suspension news vs. Real Sociedad

10

CC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .