Xavi insists he does not feel “alone” despite the pressure building on the Barcelona coach.
The Blaugrana have suffered back-to-back defeats heading into Saturday evening’s encounter with Valencia.
Xavi’s men sit fourth in the table having been beaten 4-2 at home by La Liga leaders Girona last Sunday, leading to speculation around the former playmaker’s long-term future at Camp Nou.
However, Xavi is confident he has the backing of the club’s leadership and rated the fans’ support for his team as a “perfect 10”.
“I never feel alone. I feel like I have support and strength and I feel that we can have a great season,” he said at his pre-match press conference in quotes reported by the club’s X account.
“The fans are behind the team, they are a perfect 10. They know that we will give everything.
“We have a fantastic relationship, with the president (Joan Laporta), with (sporting director) Deco, with (vice-president) Rafa Yuste… I believe more than ever in the project and in what we are doing.
“The club needs stability. We are a winning project. We are the defending La Liga and Super Cup champions.”
Barca had bounced back from home defeat in the ‘Clasico’ against Real Madrid with three wins and a draw from their next four league games before the Girona setback.
A team showing seven changes then also lost 3-2 away to Royal Antwerp on Wednesday night in the Champions League, but with qualification for the last 16 already assured.
Barca go into the match at the Mestalla seven points adrift of Girona, five behind Real and below Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
They remain without long-term injury victim Gavi, who is out with a cruciate ligament tear. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and defender Marcos Alonso, who are both suffering with back injuries, remain out of the squad heading into this weekend.
Valencia have not won any of their last four matches in La Liga, losing three and drawing one, but their striker Fran Perez was in bullish mood ahead of Barca’s visit to the Mestalla.
“We are working hard to hurt Barca and it’s going very well. We’re really looking forward to it,” he told the club’s in-house radio station.
“If we beat Atleti at home 3-0, why can’t we beat Barca at Mestalla? It’s going to be a very competitive game. The game is all about keeping a clean sheet and making the most of the chances we get. We can’t get distracted in any action.
“At Mestalla we are a very difficult team to beat. We have to be calm and compete well and I’m convinced that we’ll have a very good game.
“Our fans are very important and they are our 12th man. We are going to have a great game not only for us, but also for the fans, who deserve it.
“The tickets being practically sold out shows how the fans support us and we must respond with the highest possible level of demand. We must give everything for the club and for our fans.”
Valencia are 11th going into the weekend, with five wins, four draws and seven defeats from their 16 matches so far.
Ancelotti salutes Madrid's 'commitment and desire' following Sociedad victory
Carlo Ancelotti hailed Real Madrid's commitment and desire as they edged closer to securing the LaLiga title with a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad.
Arda Guler scored the only goal as Los Blancos extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Barcelona, who host Valencia in their game in hand on Monday.
The 19-year-old was making his first start since arriving from Fenerbahce, as Ancelotti rotated his squad ahead of Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
And the Italian was pleased by the character demonstrated by his players, who stretched their winning streak to six league matches.
"It was clear that everyone thought we were coming here for a walk," he told reporters. "The only ones who didn't think so were the players. They had commitment and attitude. They had the desire and enthusiasm to keep winning.
"We have a spectacular squad. They have this attitude that they feel like they have to win every game. There are four points left to clinch the LaLiga title, and we are very close."
Guler added on Realmadrid TV: "This is the best club in the world and scoring is one of the best feelings.
"This is Real Madrid, the quality of the players is incredible. We're all always ready to play, and I think we've shown that here. I'm waiting patiently, and I'm still working hard every day."
Ancelotti's rotation meant a first start in eight months for Eder Militao, who marked his return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee with a clean sheet.
"I've come back to play 90 minutes and I feel like a player again after many months out," the defender said.
"We have to keep winning, we know that nothing is won yet. We have a big advantage, but we have to keep doing a serious job until the end."
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
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