Rafa Benitez talks about Xavi’s resignation ahead of Celta Vigo vs Barcelona: “We all have a pressure point”

Barcelona travel to Estadio de Balaidos to take on Celta Vigo on Saturday, February 17 and speaking ahead of the game, Rafa Benitez said that this is going to be a difficult game for his side despite the fact that Barcelona are not enjoying a great run of form.

The Catalan team has won just two of their last five games across all competitions and defence has been their major concern. Celta, on the other hand, are not doing any good either having won just one of their last five matches.

Benitez, speaking during the pre-match press conference, reflected on Barcelona and Xavi in particular, saying that the latter’s decision to leave must not have been a sudden decision.

Upon asking if he understands Xavi’s decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, the Celta manager said, “These are personal decisions and I have no information about them. Maybe I will ask him on Saturday.”

“We all have a pressure point. It is very important that fans are aware of the reality of their team and the means you have to achieve your goals. 

“Xavi will have made an assessment of the means he has and the objectives that are being asked of him and will consider that perhaps he is missing something,” he was quoted by AS.

Barcelona’s record against Celta a plus for the hosts

Barcelona have defeated Celta Vigo once this season. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Over the past few meetings, Celta Viga have proven to be quite a troubling side for the Blaugrana. In fact, in their last 19 meetings, the team from Vigo has won seven matches. 

While this is something Barcelona can live with, their form against Celta away from home is disappointing, to say the least, having won, just one of their last eight matches.

“Celta’s numbers with Barcelona here are not too bad, but if we talk in numbers, Barcelona has not lost any away match in the league this season. We will play against a great team with great players and a good coach, logically it will be difficult,” said Benitez.

“When you play against big teams, it doesn’t matter if they have losses, they always have players good enough so that you have to respect them a lot “They were champions last year.”

Despite their substandard form, Benitez pressed that Barcelona have not lost a game away from home this season and thus he is expecting a tight contest.

“Barça have not lost any game away from home in the league. We know that Barcelona has injuries but it is a great team. 

“I was in this type of press conference for many years and when you play against big teams it does not matter if they have absences, they always have good enough players that you have to respect them. a lot,” he added.