Javier Aguirre spoke to the media ahead of our trip to FC Barcelona this Friday evening. Find out what the boss had to say below:
On form: It's never a good time to go to Barcelona, no matter how much we come from two good results. They have had better results since Xavi announced his departure. It's going to be a complicated match. The results have strengthened our spirits and motivated us to compete. That's what we're going for: to compete.
On survival: I have never been good at making predictions. I always said that 42 points is a practically impossible figure for relegation. It is true that last year, as the end was approaching, we were doing the math and we assumed that with 40 points we would be saved. I will not venture to say anything because I have seen incredible things in football. Granada themselves, who beat us 2-6, beat Athletic three days later, had a penalty in their hand and a top player missed it. You can't believe they would go to the second division and that's why I don't want to venture forward by putting a figure on it. I prefer to remain cautious.
On the type of game to expect: In the first leg, we took the lead twice and they were trailing a little bit. We came from Girona beaten and now it's totally the opposite. We must not be overconfident, although with Barça you never get overconfident. I expect a different game. It will be difficult to play as we did here: pressing, playing at their place, scoring two goals.... but it is also true that we will go to compete as we always do.
On scoring and defending: We have to be accurate in the opponent's area and in our own area we must not fail. In San Sebastian and against Girona we didn't concede a goal and we didn't score many goals. This season we are making chances but not taking them more. That is the data. The team has gained a lot in ball possession, but it needs to be more accurate in the opponent's area, but it seems that in the last few games we have been and hopefully we will continue with this dynamic.
On Barcelona: There have been Barcelonas that you think you can get a hand on and you concede four. I wouldn't dare say they are vulnerable. It is true that they have important injuries, but do you think that Cubarsí or Yamal, because they are young, are not going to compete? It's Barça. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid are difficult teams to beat. Whoever is missing, whoever is there.
On the squad: Valjent and Omar [Mascarell] are out. Copete is going, but we have our doubts. He has between fatigue and a contracture issue. I have to decide if he starts or is on the bench.
On Maffeo: He is already in the group, but he lacks competitive rhythm. He won't come in until after the break.
On pressure: I've played in Montjuic and it's a huge pitch, but the big difference is that the grass is far away. They even put tarpaulins and it doesn't give you the feeling of the Camp Nou. It's more open, but in the end it's just a feeling. The reality is that there are eleven Barcelona guys in front of you.
On a contract renewal: We have not discussed anything about the future. I don't have to do it in March. I'm very calm, happy and busy making sure the team gets to the right place, which is to stay in LaLiga.
On fans: We are here to bring joy to the fans.
On the Champions League as a priority for Barcelona: I would say that they are fighting for both competitions and I have the feeling that they are not going to prioritise one game over the other. I don't think so.
On Xavi Hernandez: Xavi won't be there [he is suspended], but I think he is a young and very good coach to lead a great club like Barcelona. I have nothing but words of praise.
