STATS Perform/dpa
Madrid
Xavi described 15-year-old Lamine Yamal as fearless after the winger became the youngest player to be included in Barcelona’s squad for a competitive game.
Spain Under-19 international Yamal, a La Masia product who will turn 16 in July, could become the youngest player to feature for Barca when they face Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.
“He is a player who can help us because he is talented,” his coach said on Saturday.
“He has a lot of personality, he can play one-on-one, he is strong and I am convinced that he can help us.
“I have spoken with him and he is grateful and happy. If the circumstances arise that he can help us, he is prepared.”
Asked if Yamal reminded him of any former Barca greats, Xavi said: “He’s an innate talent.
“With the new generations, the difference from my era is that they have no fear. Lamine...has attributes from various players, I don’t see a direct comparison.”
Xavi also welcomed the return of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong as the Barcelona midfielders were passed fit to feature in Sunday’s clash with Atletico Madrid.
Pedri has not played for Barca since he sustained a hamstring injury during February’s 2-2 Europa League draw against Manchester United.
The Spain international initially looked set to return for last month’s LaLiga meeting with Clasico rivals Real Madrid - a game Barca won 2-1 - only to suffer a setback in his recovery. While Pedri has missed a total of 11 games, Barca have also been without fellow midfielder De Jong for their last four matches after he sustained a similar injury.
Barca have struggled for creativity in back-to-back goalless draws against Girona and Getafe in LaLiga, but they will have both midfielders available when they host in-form Atleti.
“Pedri helps us, also Frenkie,” Xavi said. “They are essential, vital players, however you want to say it, but we have played great games without them.
“In the end, it is about the idea and the game model. We are in a privileged situation in La Liga and the players have understood this well. We have played great games without some crucial players.
“Pedri is key in the last pass. He associates very well with Robert [Lewandowski], they get along very well. It’s very good news to get him back, not only for Robert.”
Having built an 11-point lead over second-placed Madrid with just nine games remaining, Xavi knows a first league title since 2019 is now Barca’s to lose.
However, with Diego Simeone’s visitors winning six successive league games ahead of their trip to Camp Nou, the Blaugrana boss expects a difficult challenge next time out.
“We have an important advantage and we have to make it,” Xavi said.
“Losing the league...would be our fault. Every game is a final from now on. If we beat Atletico, we would eliminate them as a rival. We are in a privileged situation but we cannot relax.
“Tomorrow will be a difficult game, Atleti are the best team in the league at the moment, they are the fittest team in La Liga right now.”
