Xavi Addresses Barcelona’s Woes: A Call for Intensity, Unity, and Looking Forward

After matches, whether won or lost, Xavi Hernández typically refrains from addressing the team immediately. The Barcelona coach takes a few hours to analyze the game calmly with his players. This approach was also followed after the painful defeat in the Spanish Supercopa against eternal rivals Real Madrid.

The dressing room was deeply affected, and today, despite it not being a funeral, serious expressions and long faces persisted. Tomorrow will hurt less. However, on Tuesday, a discussion took place between the coaching staff—the first to self-criticize and acknowledge their mistakes—and the squad. It occurred before the training session, led by the coach as usual, where an assessment of Sunday’s events was made, and the foundations for the future were laid.

Passion and Intensity Off the Ball and in Duels Within the Barcelona dressing room, the directive is clear. They acknowledge the tough moment and understand that now is the time to “grit their teeth.” It is crucial to be more intense without the ball, especially when facing duels, a point identified by the coaching staff after reviewing the match. The theme of intensity has been emphasized significantly.

In this regard, there was an emphasis on recapturing the passion of the previous year, the competitive soul that the team had. Tension, solidarity, and running more than anyone when possession is lost. They recognize that there are no standout players, but collective effort is what enabled them to win the league and Supercopa last year.

On the positive side, a message was also conveyed. There is no time for regrets, and it is time to look forward because three competitions are still in play. Barcelona and its supporters cannot afford not to stay alive in them in January.

Additionally, the team started the year in good form. Surviving in many moments, but winning matches against Las Palmas, Barbastro, and Osasuna. A painful setback against Madrid, yes. However, when viewed in perspective, the team must cling to the upcoming schedule to regain confidence—something achieved by winning games. There is no other way, say sources from the dressing room.

The focus now is on advancing in the Copa del Rey, securing a spot in the quarterfinals, also at a single match. Following that, winning away at Real Betis, where no one has won this season. It’s a significant test for the team to recover and move on from the blow of the defeat against Madrid in the least prioritized competition of the four they were in. The three major ones still remain, they remind everyone.