Ferran Torres, one of Barcelona’s rising stars, has expressed his concern about the mounting criticism and desire to “destroy” the club following their recent loss against Antwerp in the Champions League. The Spanish champions’ defeat was their fourth in just nine games, placing immense pressure on coach Xavi Hernández. While Barcelona had already secured their place in the round of 16 as group winners, the continuous string of losses has ignited concerns about the team’s performance. Torres, however, remains supportive of Xavi and trusts that Barcelona will bounce back from this difficult period.
Antwerp stunned Barcelona with a second-minute goal by Arthur Vermeeren, but Ferran Torres managed to equalize before halftime. Vincent Janssen reclaimed the lead for the Belgian side, and it seemed that 17-year-old Marc Guiu had saved Barcelona with a stoppage-time goal. However, Nigeria forward George Ilenikhena crushed their hopes by securing a victory for Antwerp in the 92nd minute. This result has left Barcelona with successive poor performances and prompted Xavi to express his concerns about the team’s current form.
In the aftermath of their defeat, Xavi Hernández publicly admitted that Barcelona needed to be self-critical. The team’s struggle to create scoring opportunities and the vulnerability of their defense were factors that Xavi highlighted as areas for immediate improvement. While Xavi avoided singling out individual players for criticism, he acknowledged that the team as a whole was not performing at its best. Furthermore, Xavi believes that the issue lies in the players’ confidence and the weight of wearing the Barcelona shirt. Despite these challenges, Xavi remains optimistic about the team’s future in various competitions.
Leading up to the Antwerp match, reports emerged suggesting that Barcelona president Joan Laporta had forced Xavi to include certain players in the squad. Robert Lewandowski, Ronald Araújo, and Ilkay Gündogan were allegedly excluded but later added to the lineup. Although Lewandowski started the match and Gündogan came off the bench, Araújo did not feature. Xavi refuted these reports, emphasizing that the decision to include the players was made in agreement with the sporting director and the president. He dismissed the controversy as unnecessary tension generated by the media.
Barcelona’s struggles continue as they prepare for their upcoming LaLiga match against Valencia. With three winless away games in a row across various competitions, the team faces a crucial test. Xavi recognizes the significance of the Valencia game and brands it as a “final.” It is clear that Barcelona needs to regain their form and confidence in order to secure positive results.
Barcelona finds themselves in the midst of a challenging period, with multiple defeats and mounting pressure on coach Xavi Hernández. Ferran Torres’s support for Xavi reflects the unity within the team, despite external criticism. The loss against Antwerp, along with the controversies surrounding player selection, has added fuel to the fire. However, Xavi remains committed to self-reflection, identifying areas for improvement and emphasizing the importance of collective confidence. Barcelona’s upcoming match against Valencia will serve as a crucial opportunity for the team to turn their fortunes around. It is a test that will potentially shape their season as they continue to compete in multiple competitions.