CBE receives 24 bids worth $1.15bn for T-bills tender denominated in US currency    Death toll in Indonesia's Semeru volcano eruption rises to 34, over 100 injured    Startups Without Borders to hold hybrid summit in Rome, Cairo    NTRA raises efficiency of mobile services in Sinai with EGP 513m investment    Economic recovery is essential in countering COVID-19 impact on Africa: Shoukry    Egypt advances to 21st in Climate Change Performance Index 2022    UNFPA, Canada delegation visits projects in Upper Egypt    Egypt, WHO discuss mechanisms to reduce antimicrobial resistance    Plastic Bank collects 150 million bottles in 2021, equivalent to 2,700 tonnes of plastic    US awards film residency programmes to Egyptian filmmakers at CIFF 2021    Irrigation Ministry highlights threats to Egypt's water security before Senate    DP World Sokhna: Integrated supply chain for Egyptian sugar    Egypt's PMI unchanged in Nov as higher inflation expectations weigh on: IHS    Egypt's LNG exports at full capacity of 1.6 bcf/d after gas price rise – minister    Indian Embassy in Cairo presents contemporary dance performances    Egypt explores water cooperation with 4 African countries    Al-Sisi visits Police Academy, witnesses admission exams    Soma Bay hosts Oceanman's Final World Championship 2021 for open-water swimming    Lebanese legend Fairuz is Egypt's most-streamed female singer on Spotify in 2021    Egypt, Qatar discuss cooperation in sports infrastructure    Mortada Mansour sets road map for Zamalek, after normalization committee depart    Egypt's trade with Nile basin countries climbs 26% y-o-y in 9 months    Egypt selected to host COP27 international climate conference in 2022    Number of British tourists to Egypt seen hitting 500,000 this winter – envoy    The unvaccinated prohibited from entry to Egypt state institutions starting December 1    Egypt, Greece ink deal for first subsea power link between Europe and Africa    SCOHRE sparks discussion on harm reduction, tobacco control    Egypt to receive first of six high-trains from Spain's Talgo in mid-November    Egypt's iron and steel exports jump 197% in 8 months    Ethiopia halts work at its embassy in Egypt for 'economic reasons'    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    Brazil calls up 8 EPL players for World Cup qualifying    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Sisi calls on House, Senate to commence second legislative sessions on 3, 5 October    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    Qa'a play showing at Lycee El Horreya Theatre, Alexandria is a must go    APO Group enters new exclusive agreement with Getty Images on African press releases and images    On International Museum Day, Egypt opens two new museums at Cairo Airport    Old Cairo's Al-Fustat will be revamped on Egyptian President's directives    







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Xavi fundamental to Barcelona: coach Luis Enrique
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 24 - 11 - 2014

Barcelona's Xavi has gone from a being a bit part figure to once again leading the midfield and coach Luis Enrique believes he is now fundamental to the team as they prepare to face APOEL in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The veteran captain looked a dejected figure watching from the bench in the opening matches of the season and it seemed arguable whether he made the right decision to stay, having listened to offers to end his career in the U.S. and Qatar.
However, with Barca struggling for consistency under new coach Luis Enrique, the tireless Xavi has worked his way back into the side and come to the fore.
Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick to set a La Liga scoring record of 253 goals in a 5-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday and it was Xavi who was pulling the strings in the middle of the pitch.
Barcelona face APOEL with nine points from four games in Group F, a point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain who beat them 3-2 at the Parc des Princes.
“If there were two players I knew when I arrived they were Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta as I played with them,” Luis Enrique told a news conference in Nicosia.
“He is our captain, a fundamental player for us and I am delighted that it is the case. There will not be another player like Xavi with his style of play and quality.”
Fellow midfielder Ivan Rakitic said he had improved by playing alongside Xavi.
“He is the boss of all midfielders and the owner of our midfield,” Rakitic told the news conference.
“For all that Xavi has given football I am really happy to be in the same team as him and able to learn from him. I can enjoy watching him play and at the same time fight with him for titles.”
The combative Rakitic was also full of praise for Messi, who is close to breaking the Champions League scoring record having moved level on 71 goals with Raul.
“It is difficult to find new words to describe Leo,” said the Croatia international. "It is great to play a small part in the history which he is creating. If God wants and he keeps fit then there is no ceiling on what he is capable of achieving.”
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