Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has criticized his team’s performance in their recent victory against LaLiga’s last-placed team, Almería. Despite ending their three-game winless streak, Hernández expressed his disappointment at the team’s lackluster display. Barcelona clinched a narrow 3-2 victory at the Olympic Stadium, with captain Sergi Roberto scoring a decisive brace. However, their struggles against a struggling side were concerning to the coach, who labeled their first-half performance as “unacceptable.”
Hernández highlighted the team’s missed opportunities and defensive errors during the match. Despite having 30 shots on goal, Barcelona gifted Almería two goals, allowing them to come from behind twice. The coach voiced his frustration at the team’s repeated mistakes, emphasizing that such performances had been a recurring issue for the past month. He emphasized that the team lacked spirit, aggressiveness, and focus, which were key elements of their success in the previous season.
The dissatisfaction among Barcelona’s supporters was evident as they whistled their players off the pitch at half-time. Hernández acknowledged their frustration and stated that, although he personally disapproves of such actions, he understands the reasoning behind them. The lackluster display from the players, particularly in the first half, had left the fans disillusioned. Hernández believes that playing well or winning is not the sole factor that matters but giving everything for the club and the badge is vital.
Although Barcelona managed to recover from Almería’s equalizers, their defensive vulnerabilities continued to be exposed throughout the match. Sergi Roberto’s brace, including an 83rd-minute winner, pushed Barcelona over the finish line. However, it was not without a struggle, as Edgar González leveled the score for Almería. Barcelona’s inability to defend more robustly is highlighted by the fact that they have conceded 21 goals in the league this season, surpassing their total from the entire previous campaign.
Xavi’s Call for More Hunger and Fight
Xavi Hernández acknowledged that the current Barcelona squad does not possess the same quality and individual capacity as the team from 2010, often regarded as the club’s best. He emphasized that the key to success lies in the players’ hunger and fight on the pitch. Last year’s triumphs were a result of the team’s cohesion, their aggressive approach in both defense and attack, and their unwavering collective effort. Hernández made it clear that only by giving their all in every match would they have a chance of competing for trophies.
Despite the frustrations from the recent match, Barcelona was scheduled to play a mid-season friendly against Club América in Dallas, immediately after the game. This decision raised eyebrows, with sources revealing that the friendly would bring in approximately €5 million for the club. Hernández acknowledged the financial pressures faced by the club and stressed the need for unity in sustaining its stability. Following the friendly, the team would have a short break over Christmas before returning to LaLiga action on January 4th against Las Palmas.
Xavi Hernández’s criticism of Barcelona’s performance against Almería highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles. While they managed to break their winless streak, the coach expressed his disappointment, particularly with the defensive frailties and lack of spirit displayed by the players. Hernández called for a return to the collective effort and hunger that drove their success in the past. The upcoming friendly and the team’s subsequent break will provide an opportunity for reflection and regrouping as they aim to overcome their shortcomings and reignite the spirit that defined previous Barcelona sides.