FC Barcelona were clearly defeated in the Supercopa final against Real Madrid. Coach Xavi named the numerous problems in the game against the Whites
No one wanted to gloss over FC Barcelona’s 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Supercopa. Not even Xavi: “We played our worst game,” said the coach. “I apologize to the fans. We showed our worst side. “
Robert Lewandowski even apologized “sincerely” to the spectators who had been rooting for the Catalans in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The result was “unacceptable”, he also told his followers via Instagram. And then there was Sergi Roberto, who declared that the team were “pissed off” with themselves “We have to learn from our mistakes and from these defeats, but there are other competitions.” The Catalans’ captain said they had to “move on” but also “be self-critical”.
There was no shortage of self-criticism, but that doesn’t bring Barcelona victories and points. Xavi in particular should have recognized the problems long ago. For example, the fact that his team lacks an outstanding player in the six-man position, as Sergi Busquets was for years. Oriol Romeu, who was signed to replace him, has not even come close to replacing him, and the 32-year-old now hardly plays a role at all. Against Madrid, Frenkie de Jong tried his hand in the central midfield position, but was unable to stop the Whites’ attacking flow.
The fact that Barcelona did not “manage the game well”, according to Xavi, is probably also down to the Dutchman. “Defensively, we didn’t stop the transitions with tactical fouls, we ran behind twice and the high pressing wasn’t good either,” continued the coach, criticizing
The defensive players were particularly at fault for the goals conceded. Jules Koundé did not cut a good figure for the first and fourth goals, Andreas Christensen for the second and Ronald Araujo for the third. “Real Madrid hurt us with their counter-attacks and switching actions,” analyzed Xavi, who blamed the false start with the two goals conceded as the main reason for the defeat. “They’re our mistakes, nothing more. There’s nothing more to explain. Two mistakes that decided the game for us. Then we reacted well, but it wasn’t enough. We weren’t up to the task in this final. “
Xavi no longer expects new arrivals
Barcelona are still dancing at three weddings. Next Thursday, they face third-division side Unionistas Salamanca in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey before returning to league action. However, the Catalans still have a lot of ground to make up if they want to have a say in the championship. The Champions League round of 16 first leg in Naples is scheduled for February 21.
Xavi is no longer counting on reinforcements from the winter transfer window. “At the moment we can’t, the club can’t sign any players. The situation is what it is,” he said
