Xavi: ‘That was our worst game of the season’
The FC Barcelona coach spoke after the defeat away at Almeria and maintained that his team lacked intensity and rhythm.
Almeria recorded a famous win against FC Barcelona at the Power Horse Stadium on Sunday with a first half goal from Malian striker El Bilal enough to secure the victory for the Andalusian side as the recorded their first ever win over the Catalan giants.
Speaking post-game, Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was disappointed complaining that his team had lacked ‘rhythm and intensity’ with the loss coming in the same week that his side were dumped out of the Europa League by Manchester United.
🎙️ XAVI: "No excuses ... congratulations to Almería." pic.twitter.com/ei6Df4cMJD
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 26, 2023
‘Lacking desire’
The coach from Terrassa added: ‘We failed to show a sufficient desire to win the game although we improved in the second half. Credit to Almeria though as they defended well and played with the result in their favour.”
It’s not everyday that you beat the leader…🔝#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/cLyCoujsSg
— UD Almería (@UDAlmeria_Eng) February 26, 2023
He concluded adding: “We are still in front in the table and hold a seven point lead over our nearest rival”.
Barcelona now head to the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg before facing Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday night at Camp Nou.