Xavi Labels Barcelona’s First-Half Display as Unacceptable Despite Victory

Barcelona secured a hard-fought victory against Almeria, but head coach Xavi did not mince words when assessing his team’s performance in the first half. The hosts eventually claimed their first win in four matches, but Xavi expressed strong dissatisfaction with their early showing.

“The first half is not acceptable,” declared Xavi, emphasizing the need for improvement in various aspects, including values, attitude, gameplay, and defense. At halftime, he conveyed a clear message to the team, urging them to take an additional step in every facet of their performance.

Xavi attributed the subpar first-half performance to a lack of confidence and playing under pressure, highlighting the importance of regaining their composure and playing with greater belief.

The turning point came in the second half, where Barcelona showcased a renewed spirit. Raphinha initially opened the scoring, and Sergi Roberto’s brace secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory for the visitors.

Addressing the need for adjustments, Xavi made strategic substitutions at halftime, bringing on Ferran Torres and Kounde for Joao Felix and Christensen, respectively. The changes contributed to Barcelona’s improved second-half display, allowing them to clinch a crucial win.