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Barcelona coach Xavi saw something after his team missed out on a “golden opportunity” to move free in second place in LaLiga.
After being eliminated from the Europa League at home by Eintracht Frankfurt last Thursday, Barca lost consecutive matches at the Camp Nou for the first time since April 2003, when Cadiz poorly sentenced them to a 1-0 defeat.
Lucas Perez’s winner in the second half marked the 32nd goal that Barca have conceded in 31 league games this season, their worst record at this stage of a season since the 2012-13 promotion (33).
Barca’s 15 unbeaten run in the league had given them hope of a title challenge, but they now have just seven games left to capture Real Madrid, who are 15 points ahead.
In fact, Barca’s main focus will now realistically be on the teams below them. Atletico Madrid and Sevilla sit on 60 points, as does Blaugrana, but Real Betis (57) and Real Sociedad (55) are not far behind.
“We’re p ***** gone,” Xavi told reporters. “We have lost a golden opportunity to distance ourselves from the battle for the Champions League and continue the battle for the title. We have almost said goodbye to LaLiga.
“We are Barca and we need to do more. The team should have shown more desire and enthusiasm. It’s not about attitude because the players want it, but we need a competitive character.
“The [Cadiz] defended the game as if it were the last and we have to match that.
“We must be humble and think that we have done nothing. To be in the Champions League next year, we need to play with more faith, determination and drive. We have to bite our teeth together, because we have a lot at stake. ”
2 – Barcelona have lost two home games in a row in all competitions for the first time since April 2003: 2-4 in LaLiga against Deportivo de La Coruña and 1-2 in the Champions League against Juventus. Surprise. pic.twitter.com/xc2QaJ1Fmd
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 18, 2022
Despite overseeing a dramatic recovery in his fortune since taking charge, Xavi said the defeat showed that a lot of work was required for Barca to return to the level of his playing days.
“When you win 4-0 at the Bernabeu, it makes sense for you to say ‘we’re back’, but now we’re making mistakes too,” he added.
“We have to be self-critical and we have to react to secure the goal of the Champions League [qualification].
“We have to work for the great Barca to come back. We beat Madrid and Sevilla with two fantastic matches with the same team and the same staff. If we have done that [before]we can do it again. “
The match was played in a subdued atmosphere after a prominent group of Blaugrana fans boycotted in protest of the club’s handling of last week’s loss in Frankfurt, where an estimated 30,000 away fans were given tickets to the match.
“We need the people,” Xavi said. “The other day it affected us a lot, the fans have been extraordinary.
“Hopefully they will be with us in the next match. Barcelona must stand together and at least go to the Champions League next year. It’s a shame they did not come. We need everyone. It is important that the three points are here in the next match at home. ”
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