Barcelona Stumbles: Xavi Calls for a Reset After Shocking 1-0 Defeat
Barcelona finds itself in a turbulent period as they suffered an unexpected 1-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on a fateful night in Hamburg. Danylo Sikan’s lone goal, just before halftime, proved to be the game-changer, preventing Barça from securing a spot in the competition’s knockout stages.
Despite the Spanish champions’ dominance in possession, they managed only one shot on target throughout the match, even after introducing Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and João Félix in the second half. Xavi Hernández, Barcelona’s coach, was brutally honest in his post-game analysis, acknowledging their poor performance and the failure to execute their game plan.
“We deserved to lose,” Xavi said during the post-game news conference. “We have to be honest. We played badly, and nothing we had planned came off. The level of our performances is really low at the moment. This was one of the worst games of my two years in charge. We have to be self-critical. There was a reaction in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. This competition demands your best, and we were not at it today. It is clear a step back. We are angry. Confidence has dropped, we are in a bit of a rut, and we need a reset.”
Barça’s weekend victory over Real Sociedad in LaLiga was overshadowed by Xavi’s criticism of the performance as “unacceptable.” He specifically pointed out the lack of intensity displayed by his players. Against Shakhtar, however, the coach was more concerned with the quality of the performance itself.
“It’s a shame because we wanted to book our place in the last 16,” Xavi expressed. “We still have qualification in our own hands, though, and that’s the big positive. We have the next game at home, against Porto, and we can seal it there. We have to restore the confidence. We’re having a small dip right now. Not so long ago, we were playing very good football — it’s a mental issue.”
Barcelona’s defender, João Cancelo, echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the team’s need to react promptly when they host Alaves in LaLiga. Currently placed third, four points behind the unexpected league leaders, Girona, and trailing Real Madrid by two points, Barça faces a pivotal test as they aim to recover from a disappointing sequence of matches.
The journey ahead for Barcelona remains challenging, and the call for a reset by Xavi Hernández emphasizes the pressing need to restore the confidence that once defined this iconic club. The road to redemption begins at home, as they prepare to face Alaves with renewed determination before the upcoming international break.
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