FC Barcelona. Speed is not the most important quality. When the ball goes quick, you are a quick player.

Transcription

1

2 Speed is not the most important quality. When the ball goes quick, you are a quick player.

3 Xavi Hernandez Joined Barca at u11 Cup debut at 18 in goals in 505 Appearances Represented all Spanish age groups Full cap at 20 (13 goals in 133)

4 When you arrive at Barca the first thing they teach is THINK THINK THINK Lift your head, move see THINK

5 Some Teams can t or don t pass the ball -What are you playing for? What s the point? Combine, pass, play. That s football for me! Xavi Hernandez

6 The 5-0 Classico The feeling of superiority was incredible. They didn t touch the ball. The best I ve played In the dressing room after we gave ourselves a standing ovation

7 Playing against destructive teams. Think quickly, look for spaces I m always looking (Xavi swings his head) Here? No. There? No. Space Space Space Its so hard. I think sh#t, the defenders here, play it there. I see the space and pass, that s what I do

8 Some youth academies worry about winning, we worry about education. Our model was imposed by Cruyff. It s all about Rondos (piggy) Rondo, Rondo, Rondo. Every. Single. Day. It s the best exercise there is. You learn responsibility and not to lose the ball Pumpum-pum-pum always 1 touch In the middle, its humiliating, the rest applaud and laugh at you.

9 It s got to start with the kids. You have to find the players who have the technical ability right from the off as Barca do. Other teams look for young players who are big, tall and strong. Teams in Catalunya beat Barca s youngsters but Barca s beaten team will have 3 future footballers, the other team none. They are already thinking about winning instead of unearthing the technically gifted players, which is Barca s priority.

10 Xavi plays in the future Dani Alves because there are so many options I think so and so is going to get annoyed because I ve played 3 passes and haven t given him the ball yet I d better give the ball to Alves who has made 3 runs or the next pass must be for Leo (Messi)

11 The philosophy can t be changed. Our fans wouldn t understand a team that just sat deep and counter attacked. Sadly people only look at teams through success. NOW SUCCESS HAS VALIDATED OUR APPROACH

12 Guardiola is so persistent. He would be a success anywhere in the world. Intelligence is being able to adapt to anything and Pep is very intelligent. He expects the maximum from himself and that rubs off on others.

13 Six years ago I was nearly extinct Footballers like me were in danger of dying out. It was all: 2 meters tall, powerful, in the middle, knockdowns, second balls, rebounds.but now I see Arsenal and Villa Real and they play like us.

14 Are you a defender of the faith? An Idealogue? It was that or die. I M A ROMANTIC Talent + Technical ability is valued above physical condition now. Football is played to win but our satisfaction is double often other teams can win but their identity is lacking. THE RESULT IS AN IMPOSTOR IN FOOTBALL There s something greater than the result more lasting..a LEGACY

15 English Football Culture It s changing.. the style s a bit more technical. Before it was direct, it was about the 2 nd ball, the typical No9 was a Crouch or Heskey and there was no football. Carragher, boom up top; Terry, boom up top. I think its changing Barry Lampard Gerrard Carrick treat the ball well You see the now and think Christ they re trying to play

16 Whoa! Wait! Physical Players are fundamental. We ve got Puyol. Technically he s not the best, but it s incredible the way he defends. Carragher and Terry are necessary, brilliant, but they have to adapt to technical football..not THE OTHER WAY ROUND. For me it s natural for them it s harder to lift their head up and play a pass but they have to.

17 Paul Scholes He s a role model for me. He s the best central midfield player in the last15-20 years. Players love him. Xavi Hernandez

18 The English Style It s a different culture that values different things. Here if they see you are afraid when you are in possession then you get whistled. It s the world in Reverse!

19 Education is the key. Players have had 10 or 12 years here. When you arrive at Barca the 1 st thing they teach you is think. Think, think, think. Quickly. Lift your head up, move, see think. Look before you get the ball Pum Pum Pum one touch. Some need 2 or 3, that s too many. Messi, Piquet, me, Iniesta, 1 touch Fast. In fact our youth coach Rexach used to demand: a mig toc. Half a touch

20 In England footballers are respected more. The game is more noble. There s less cheating. Every Spaniard who goes loves it and comes back a better player.