Barcelona’s coach held a press conference on Friday ahead of his team’s match against Elche in the Spanish league tomorrow. He expressed his great ambition to compete on all fronts, confirming that the team’s current mentality is the key to success in this crucial period of the season.
He added that Barcelona’s focus is currently on the match against Elche, warning of the strength of the team at home, and the necessity to start strong from the first minutes and not wait until the end. He indicated that the title race will continue until next May.
He is proud of Barcelona’s achievements, expressing his pride in his team’s direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16, having finished fifth in the league stage. He said: “After the Chelsea match, no one expected us to be in the quarter-finals, but we did it.”
He explained that the dream of lifting the trophy in Budapest is on everyone’s mind, but it requires hard work to overcome the obstacles of the knockout stages.
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Regarding the transfer market, he expressed his satisfaction with the current squad after the addition of Cancelo and the departure of Ter Stegen and Drou, confirming that he is counting heavily on the return of injured players like Pedri and Gavi, in addition to the young talents from the academy who have proven their competence in recent training sessions and matches.
It is worth noting that Barcelona enters its match against Elche while sitting at the top of the Spanish league, with a one-point lead over its traditional rival Real Madrid.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city in northeastern Spain, renowned for its unique Catalan culture and distinctive architecture, particularly the modernist works of Antoni Gaudí like the Sagrada Família. Its history stretches from a Roman colony to a major medieval trading power within the Crown of Aragon, shaping its rich artistic and urban heritage. Today, it remains a vibrant global city celebrated for its art, cuisine, and coastal setting.
Elche
Elche is a city in southeastern Spain, renowned for its UNESCO-listed Palmeral, an extensive and historic palm grove originally established by the Moors during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. The city is also famous for the “Misteri d’Elx,” a sacred musical drama from the Middle Ages that is performed annually and is also recognized by UNESCO.
Spanish league
The Spanish league, officially known as La Liga, is the top professional football division in Spain, founded in 1929. It is globally renowned for featuring historic clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, whose intense rivalry has shaped much of its modern history and international prestige.
Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current format in 1992 to become the premier tournament for Europe’s top football clubs.
Chelsea
Chelsea is a historic and affluent district in West London, known for its association with the arts and the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Its history includes being a fashionable village outside London in the 18th century and a hub for artists and writers during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it is renowned for its elegant architecture, designer shopping, and the Chelsea Football Club.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, formed in 1873 by the unification of the three historic cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest. Its history is deeply marked by the Ottoman occupation, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its role as a major cultural and political center in Central Europe. The city is renowned for its stunning architecture, including the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Buda Castle, as well as its thermal baths.
Cancelo
Cancelo is a surname, not a place or cultural site. It is most famously associated with the Portuguese professional footballer João Cancelo, who plays as a full-back for clubs like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and FC Barcelona, as well as the Portugal national team.
Ter Stegen
Ter Stegen is a German surname most famously associated with Marc-André ter Stegen, the professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Barcelona and the German national team. He joined Barcelona in 2014 from Borussia Mönchengladbach and has since become a key player, winning numerous domestic and European titles with the club.
Drou
Drou is a small village in central France, historically known for its association with the Drou family, who were local lords during the medieval period. The area is primarily recognized for the nearby Château de Drou, a 15th-century castle that has been restored and is noted for its distinctive architecture.
Pedri
Pedri is a professional footballer from Spain, not a place or cultural site. He plays as a midfielder for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, rising to prominence after his transfer from Las Palmas in 2019 and becoming a key player for both club and country.
Gavi
Gavi is a historic fortress town located in the Piedmont region of Italy, originally constructed by the Genoese Republic in the 13th century. It served as a crucial military stronghold for centuries, controlling key routes between Liguria and Piedmont, and its imposing citadel remains a prominent landmark today.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and iconic sports clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly during the 1950s and its record number of UEFA Champions League titles.
