Xavi Hernandez has admitted that extending his stay at Barcelona for one more year was ‘the only good thing’ in an otherwise miserable 2014.
In a candid interview with Sport on Friday, the playmaker offered a damning verdict on the past 12 months, highlighting La Blaugrana’s failure to lift any silverware and the decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold their transfer embargo.
“2014 wasn’t an easy year. It was very difficult on both sporting and personal level. The only good thing was being able to stay here for one more year,” he began.
“I was very happy about that but suffered with everything else. The death of Tito, the club's decision to discard Txema Corbella, who is a close friend of mine, not winning titles with the club or Spain, plus the disappointment of the World Cup …
“Also on a personal level, I didn’t play important games against Atletico Madrid and Chile. I must learn from these failures.
“We all suffered as a result of the CAS decision. I expected them to be more lenient.
“As a Cule, I find it a huge injustice because no other club in the world take better care of their youth. We’re exemplary in this regard, but this [embargo] will make us even stronger.
“We hope for health and titles in 2015, we need [especially the latter]. We can’t afford another year in white. Titles are our main goal.
“The season has started well and we’re working flat out. I’m captain and naturally responsible [for the team’s performance], but above all I wish to win titles.
“We’ll compete better [next time against Real Madrid], for sure. We blew it that day because we failed to compete well enough, especially in the second half. We’ll learn from mistakes.
“What’s upon us is brutal. Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Atletico or Real Madrid if we eliminate Elche.
“We can’t fail because our challenge is to reach the month of March still in with a shout for all three competitions.
“There are sufficient points to close the gap [on Real Madrid] Also, we haven’t forgotten that Madrid must still come to Camp Nou. There are good vibes in the dressing room, and we’re united.”
