The head coach is under pressure to deliver this season for Barcelona after making some big-name signings in the summer.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has made winning LaLiga the top priority as it will ‘bring stability’ to the club.
In the past three seasons, Barcelona have won just one trophy in the Copa del Rey under Xavi’s predecessor, Ronald Koeman, and suffered back-to-back group-stage exits in the Champions League across the last two campaigns.
That said, Barcelona have spent around €208 million on new signings since Xavi’s arrival in November 2021. The recruits have helped the Catalan side go top of the league table. They sit two points clear of defending champions Real Madrid ahead of their return from the World Cup break.
“LaLiga tops our priorities,” Xavi told Barca TV on Tuesday.
“We have the [Spanish] Super Cup in January and the Copa del Rey and the Europa League coming up too, but the league marks the season. If we win LaLiga, for example, it will be a good season. If we only win the Supercopa, we have come up short. We want to win everything, but LaLiga will give the club and the project stability.”
How about the Europa League?
A third-place finish in Group C of the Champions League was not enough to reach the knockout phase, but Barcelona can still compete for European glory by winning the Europa League. They’ll face Manchester United in the playoff round.
“It makes me angry not to hear the Champions League music, Xavi admitted.
“But the Europa League is a trophy, one this club has not won, and if we go far, the fans will be up for it.”
Xavi added: “I would sign for a LaLiga-Europa League double! The club made a huge effort in the summer, with the famous levers [selling assets to fund signings], and we have to back that up on the pitch. The pressure is on me and I accept it. I am aware that we must win trophies this season.”
Barcelona return to action on December 31 for a New Years’ Eve derby against Catalan rivals Espanyol at the Spotify Camp Nou in LaLiga.
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