Xavi’s comments on AD Ceuta have angered the opponents. To which he has apologized for a statement he made about Barcelona’s Copa del Rey draw. The trainer angered AD Ceuta, because he spoke of a favorable draw. The game against the third division team awaits on Thursday.
“I’m sorry,” Xavi said at Wednesday afternoon’s preview press conference. “I said it based on the leagues in which the clubs play (Ceuta is the only remaining third divisionist). We realize it won’t be easy. In the cup tournament, the decision falls in one match and it can be difficult. I didn’t mean to come across as disrespectful at all.”
Xavi said after the draw for the round of 16 that he was ‘lucky’ for the first time since his arrival. “Because we’ve hit the lowest ranked opponent, but we still have to prove ourselves,” was the comment. The coach added that his players will not trade jerseys with Ceuta’s players. That comment also went down the wrong way with the current third-level gate closer.
José Juan Romero’s comments
“I didn’t find Xavi’s comments on AD very happy. He could have expressed himself in a different way,” said coach José Juan Romero. “I didn’t like it and neither did the club. We are not going to play football to trade shirts, we are going to give everything. At the end of the game we will see if there was any luck. Maybe he doesn’t fully realize how difficult it is for teams to get this far, because he’s had a much easier path as a coach.”
“I come from the lowest level. And I appreciate Xavi and see him as one of the best Spanish footballers of all time,” added the Ceuta coach. “I was surprised by his comments, I was not happy about it. We are looking forward to the competition with great enthusiasm. I’m sure they won’t have it easy. Maybe they’ll score five times, but we’re going for it.”
Xavi announced that he has an almost fit selection for the away match. Only Ronald Araújo, who has some ‘physical complaints’, gets some rest. Xavi continued, “It’s not serious, but as he’s just recovered from an injury, we’re giving him a rest. The rest can be used. They will all travel along, except for one or two players who have more fatigue complaints.” Will there also be opportunities for youth players? He concluded, “In principle, Ángel Alarcón (eighteen-year-old attacker) will come along, but we will decide that after training.”
