"I hadn't laughed in six or seven months" – Barcelona star admits tough time under Xavi Hernandez
Barcelona loanee Vitor Roque has opened up on his frustrations playing under ex-Blaugrana manager Xavi Hernandez following his standout performance in Brazil U20 side's recent win.
Roque, 19, endured a difficult maiden campaign at the Catalan giants after arriving in a potential €61 million deal from Brazilian outfit Athletico Paranaense earlier this January. He scored just two goals in 16 overall appearances, including two starts, for his club last season.
Last month, Hansi Flick's side decided to send Roque out on a season-long loan to La Liga team Real Betis. The star made his debut for his new club in a 2-0 La Liga loss away at Real Madrid on September 1.
After bagging a brace in Brazil U20 team's 3-2 win over Mexico earlier this Sunday (September 8), Roque offered his thoughts on his time under Xavi at Barcelona last term. He said (h/t Barca Blaugranes):
"I hadn't laughed in six or seven months. I have thanked everyone from the Brazilian national team who has been here for this week that I have been able to live. It was a short period of time, but I made the most of it, I joked and enjoyed myself, which is the most important thing... and when the game came, the goals came."
Roque is next likely to be in action in Real Betis' La Liga match against CD Leganes at Estadio Benito Villamarin this Friday (September 13).
Barcelona sporting director Deco says club roped in Dani Olmo due to one vital reason
Earlier this August, Barcelona finalised a deal worth up to €62 million to sign Spain international Dani Olmo from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
During an interview with Barca One, Barcelona sporting director Deco was asked why the Blaugrana opted not to sign a winger such as Nico Williams earlier this summer. He replied (h/t Barca Blaugranes):
"A high-level winger was needed. We have Raphinha, Ferran [Torres] and Ansu [Fati], who was very good in pre-season but had a foot injury. We also have Lamine [Yamal]. We have other players who can play as wingers like Fermin [Lopez] or Dani Olmo."
Claiming that the Blaugrana valued Olmo's versatility, Deco concluded:
"We were clear that to bring in a player he had to be of a very high level. But in the end, signing Dani Olmo gave us more options. It's not that we didn't speak with clubs and players... but in the end, we had priorities that were decisive in not bringing in another winger."
Olmo, 26, has scored twice in two La Liga games so far this season.