Barcelona’s Defeat Against Villarreal Deepens Crisis Amidst Xavi’s Uncertain Future

Barcelona suffered a 3-5 defeat against Villarreal at Montjuic, further diminishing their chances of contending for La Liga. Following losses in the Spanish Super Cup to Real Madrid and in the Copa del Rey to Athletic Club, this defeat against Marcelino’s team exacerbates the wounds of a Barcelona side that sees Real Madrid pulling away with a ten-point lead in the league standings. Girona is also eight points ahead, with a game in hand.

In ‘Carrusel Deportivo,’ Marcos López analyzed the current state of Barcelona and, after the match, hinted that nothing is ruled out regarding Xavi Hernandez’s potential departure from the coaching role, as “the situation is dramatic.” In three weeks, they have lost the Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and practically La Liga. It’s not just what they lost but how they lost it. A big team, with integrity, tactical and emotional balance, when they come back in just ten minutes, cannot allow what they have allowed,” explained the Cadena SER analyst.

The journalist focused on Villarreal’s counterattack that resulted in the 3-3 draw by Gonçalo Guedes. Several Barcelona players did not make an effort to stop that counter, leading to the equalizer and frustrating the Blaugrana’s comeback in just over ten minutes. According to Marcos López, from that moment on, the collapse of Xavi Hernandez’s team would follow:

“An inert team, without soul, without any kind of spirit, emotionally and tactically broken, a team that concedes nine goals in two games… Since Real Madrid came and won at Montjuic, this team has seven defeats. It has no capacity for reaction, and it has slipped away from the coach,” he concluded on Cadena SER.