Xavi Hernandez will manage FC Barcelona for the last time against Sevilla on Sunday, as the Catalans close out an underwhelming season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuán Stadium which resulted in them ceding the La Liga title and its Spanish Super Cup crown to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
The club legend agreed to see out his contract which expired on June 30, but was dismissed before the weekend for what was thought to have been making the board angry about negative comments he made on how Barca’s bleak economic outlook affects being able to compete with their bitter rivals.
In his pre-match press conference, Xavi was made to answer questions on if the club of his life mistreats its legends, what President Joan Laporta said to him in a meeting that concluded with being fired, and his plans for the future.
This aside, there is still a game of football to be played after and Xavi wanted to look on the bright side of life.
“It’s been a spectacular experience, a tremendous learning experience. I’m satisfied and grateful to the club, and now we hope to finish in the best possible way and play well against Sevilla. It’s been an honour and a pleasure,” he said.
“I was still motivated and excited, I believed in this squad and in being able to do interesting things by changing some things. But it was not to be. I had never imagined a goodbye like this, but it can happen, I’m a professional, I’m a coach,” Xavi also added.
Though as touched on Barca will finish the season trophyless, Xavi at least helped to nail down second place last week with a 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Montjuic Stadium which means that qualification to the Super Cup at the turn of 2025 is already secure.
For his last match then, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be supported by a backline of Joao Cancelo, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde from left to right.
This means that there is no place for Ronald Araujo, and the same logic applies to Pedri in midfield.
Xavi goes for captain Sergi Roberto as his pivot, behind Fermin Lopez and Ilkay Gundogan.
Up top, Raphinha is the left winger and Lamine Yamal the right one on the other side of striker Robert Lewandowski.
FC Barcelona Starting XI Vs. Sevilla: Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Inigo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Roberto, Gundogan, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine
