Xavi: We want to return strongly to the league

Al-Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez spoke about the readiness of his team for the upcoming Al Gharafa match, in the eleventh week of the QNB Stars League.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the match, Xavi said: “We want to return strongly to the League after the end of our participation in the Club World Cup. We are now looking for good results in the league and look forward to ending the year with three points against Al Gharafa today.”

He said: “We know that Al Gharafa has evolved in a clear way compared to the previous season, and they also have an excellent coach who is able to improve on their current position but we are ready with what is necessary to get the three points.”

He continued: “There is no time for rest in the coming days, and we must rely on all the available players so that we can score points. We started the league well, but unfortunately we could not continue with that good start.”

Regarding signing new players in the transfer window, Al Sadd coach said: “I do not know if we will sign with new players, but we have excellent youngsters such as Tariq Salman or Meshal and others. We must work with all the available players.”

And about the absence of many key players that the team suffers from, he said, “We have to rely on the rest of the players in order to work collectively. It is the collective performance that has helped us to play well in many important matches.”

And about his message to the Al-Sadd fans angry at the results of the team, the Spanish coach said: “I understand the anger of the fans of Al-Sadd after the loss to Esperance in the Club World Cup and in general, and I promise that we will work with full strength and give all our effort because we really need our fans. We are like one family; we will work with all our strength and they should continue to support us.”