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11 months ago
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The second El Clasico of the season is upon us as Barcelona get ready to take on Real Madrid for the 2024 Spanish Super Cup final. It is a repeat of last year’s game when the Catalans comfortably took home the trophy, defeating Carlo Ancelotti’s side 1-3.
Ahead of the game, captain Sergi Roberto spoke to the media as part of the pre-game press conferences.
“Being captain of Barça is a great dream. It makes me very excited and it would be very special to win the title as the first team captain,” he started off by saying, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
One of the first things the Spaniard was asked was his positional preference. After starting out his career as a midfielder, Roberto has spent the better part of the last decade playing as a right-back.
“I have always said that I am a midfielder. Since I was a kid I’ve played there, but due to circumstances I’ve played more as a full-back. This year I’m playing in midfield and I’m having a great time. I hope I can continue to help the team.”
Roberto also commented on last season’s final. Even though he did not start that game, he came on in injury time, and was very much part of the celebrations.
“Last season’s Super Cup final? It was one of the best games of last season. It was very important for us for the final stretch of the season. Hopefully it will give us the strength to take all the titles,” he said.
It has been said time and again that neither team’s form matters much heading into El Clasico, and neither does the performance. And Roberto, for one, agrees.
“In the Clásicos everything is equal. Both teams start off in the same situation. A Barça-Madrid game is always a final and tomorrow is a real final. There will be maximum rivalry and I hope that, like last year, we can play a good game.”
“We have to be protagonists with the ball. Against Madrid you have to dominate the ball, but you have to be attentive. Against Real Madrid you can’t take the game for granted until the last minute. They are in good form and with Bellingham they have brought in a great player. We hope to control the game and take the lead,” he added.
A lot has been said about whether Xavi will and should play with a four-man midfield or a trident. Roberto was also inquired about the same, and said:
“4 midfielders? We still don’t know who is going to play. It’s up to the coach. Whoever it is, the coach will decide the best way to play tomorrow. Whether it’s with 3 or 4 midfielders, we’ll see.”
As far as Roberto’s future is concerned, he is in the last few months of his contract. Xavi has publicly called for his renewal, and reports have suggested that the club have already started negotiations.
“I hope I can stay at the club for next season as a captain and lift another title,” the captain commented.
His press conference concluded with a sweet word about his coach, Xavi, who started out as his teammate for a few years before eventually leaving in 2015 after winning the treble.
“Xavi was my idol. I had him as a teammate and now I’m lucky enough to have him as my coach. I have had his support from the first minute. I will always be here for the club, for whatever it needs. If the coach wants me to stay, I’m sure there will be no problem.”
