PA Media/dpa
London
Barcelona boss Xavi believes ‘fate is in our own hands’ as the Spanish giants aim to finish second in La Liga.
Barcelona could extend the gap between themselves and third-placed Girona to four points following the latter’s 1-0 defeat to Villarreal on Tuesday night.
The Catalan club have three league games left to play this season ‘against Almeria, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla’,and a second-place finish would also secure their spot in the Spanish Super Cup, a competition they last won in 2023.
Xavi told a press conference: ‘Our fate is in our own hands and the goal is clear. We need to finish second even though that was originally a minimum target.
“We are thinking about prestige, but also finances and especially because we want to be involved in every competition next season.”
Xavi’s side travel to already-relegated Almeria on Thursday night, who sit rock bottom of the table having only won two league games this campaign.
In the reverse fixture in December, Raphinha and a Sergi Roberto double earned a 3-2 victory against Almeria, but Xavi warned Thursday would not be an easy task.
“It won’t be easy. When you look at Almeria, they deserved a lot more and now they can afford to relax because they have nothing to lose,” he added.
“They have competed very well against some of the biggest teams in the competition and will want to win at home to bring some joy to their fans.”
