“We need the victory to grow and face the cup with high morale”

Xavi Pascual:

Xavi Pascual: “We need the victory to grow and face the Cup with high morale”

The Barça coach, self-critical after four consecutive defeats, analyzes the team's challenges against Baskonia and the preparation for the cup tournament.

The press conference of Xavi Pascual, coach of FC Barcelona, prior to the crucial Euroleague confrontation against Baskonia, has been marked by palpable honesty. The Catalan coach has not avoided the negative streak that the team is going through, accumulating four consecutive defeats in the last nine days. A situation that, in his own words, he does not remember having experienced frequently.

Pascual has emphasized the urgency of reversing this dynamic. “We must recover the victory,” he declared firmly at the Palau Blaugrana. “There are four games left for the Cup and it is important to get on the winning line as soon as possible.” The proximity of the Copa del Rey adds an additional layer of pressure, and the coach considers it essential to go into this tournament with a “good mental feeling.”

The coach reviewed the team's recent history. “The team made a great effort and took a good line with my arrival,” he recalled. “We have lost it, although the effort is there. Sometimes mentally we may not be as good as before, but we have to recover this.” This self-criticism points to a possible decrease in the group's confidence, a psychological aspect that Pascual considers vital for sporting performance.

One of the key points that Pascual has addressed is the team's difficulty in overcoming adverse scores, especially at home. According to the coach, this problem does not arise from a lack of commitment, but from an “excess” of desire. “We have a committed group in which everyone wants to take another step,” he explained, recognizing that this excessive ambition can be “difficult to manage.”

Pascual has delved into this issue, pointing out that individual responsibility sometimes overshadows group cohesion. “It is not out of selfishness, it is out of responsibility,” he clarified. “On the one hand, someone has to take responsibility, but you have to have the calm to do it from the group and not from the individual.” The search for individual, rather than collective, solutions has led to a certain “division as a team,” according to the coach, who believes that the experience of the squad should facilitate the achievement of that necessary tranquility.

Another aspect that the coach has identified as a “pending issue” is the start of the games. “Barça has a hard time playing the first quarters,” he admitted, a weakness that has “penalized a lot” to the team in its last European matches. Despite the “over-efforts” made later, the team has not been able to finish the games when it had options in the last quarter, evidencing a lack of solidity from the beginning.

Regarding the squad, Pascual has regretted the accumulation of “injured” players, although he has confirmed that “everyone will travel”, with the exception of the long-term injured Juan Núñez. The final decision on who will play will be made “at the last minute”, suggesting an uncertain physical outlook for the match against Baskonia.

Regarding the dosage of minutes for the Copa del Rey, the coach has stressed the importance of each match. “Everything is important and it is in the head,” he stated. He explained that, sometimes, circumstances force limited rotations to be made when five players are in good form. “Each match is different. Under normal conditions we try to take all the variables into account,” he concluded.

Finally, Xavi Pascual has dedicated his praise to Baskonia, his next rival. “It is a very well-trained team, with clear ideas,” he highlighted. He has recognized that injuries to important players have undermined the Basque team, as has happened with other teams with shorter squads. However, he recalled that Baskonia has already demonstrated at home its ability to be “very difficult to stop” when “it gets the feel of the game.”

Pascual's press conference suggests a Barça in search of its best version, with the urgent need to rediscover victory to face the imminent Copa del Rey with guarantees. The coach's self-criticism and his analysis of the team's weak points open the door to deep reflection and hope for a speedy recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many consecutive defeats has Barça accumulated?

FC Barcelona has added **four consecutive defeats** in its last games, counting all competitions.

What competition is approaching and worries the coach?

The **Copa del Rey** is the competition that is approaching and for which the coach wants the team to arrive with high morale.

What is the main problem that Xavi Pascual points out in matches?

Xavi Pascual points out that it is difficult for the team to **overcome the adverse scores**, especially at home, and that it is difficult for them to play the **first quarters**.

What does it mean for Pascual that the problem is due to “excess and not defect”?

It means that the problem is not a lack of desire or commitment, but rather that **the players are trying too hard individually** in wanting to solve things, which makes collective play difficult.

Are there any long-term injured players who will not travel?

Yes, the player **Juan Núñez** is the long-term injured player and will not travel with the team.

How does Pascual describe Baskonia?

Pascual describes it as a team **”very well trained, with clear ideas”** and difficult to stop when it gets into the rhythm of the game.

What mental aspect is crucial for the team according to the coach?

The coach considers the **”mental feeling”** with which the team faces matches and competitions to be crucial.

When will the lineup for the match against Baskonia be decided?

The decision on who will play will be made **”at the last minute”**.

Has there been a time when the team has shown a “good line” recently?

The coach remembers that the team **”took a good line”** after his arrival, but that line has been lost.

What advice would Pascual give to the players to overcome the negative streak?

The implicit advice is to regain **calm**, **tranquility** and play from the **group** and not from individuality.