Xavi’s Alaves post-match press conference: media criticism affecting Barça’s performances

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández spoke to the media after his team came from behind to defeat Alavés in LaLiga, a result which moves them back to within two points of Real Madrid and four of leaders Girona.

After fiercely criticising his players for their performances in their last two matches against Real Sociedad and Shakhtar Donetsk, Xavi again witnessed a lacklustre performance, with two second-half goals from Robert Lewandowski digging Barça out of trouble. However, the 43-year-old appeared more satisfied with his team’s showing, putting the team’s poor recent performances down to some individuals being affected by media criticism.

What did Xavi say in his post-match press conference after Barcelona’s win over Alavés?

Noise around the team: “I’m not referring to the fans but to the press, which is very over-the-top. I’m taking mainly about the media criticism that affects the players, and that’s why we aren’t playing so well. I told them to stay calm at halftime, that nobody gets eaten alive here.”

Barcelona “have to be much, much better”

Getting the team’s DNA back: “We weren’t bad in terms of our positioning but we were sluggish in possession and lost the ball too often. After the break, we had a very good half-hour. We improved a bit, but we still have to be much, much better. We’ve come back to win a game that was an uphill battle. We showed character. It’s a very important victory.”

The opening goal (after 18 seconds): “We gifted it to them again. We gifted them the first goal, and we almost gifted them a second. We had some clear chances, but the team is not on top form. This (international) break will be good for us to reflect and get some rest.”

Koundé-Araújo positional swap to deal with Samu: “Ronald is the best in one-on-one situations. We were struggling in the middle, so we changed it. In the end, it paid off. The team’s character is worth highlighting because the game was getting ugly.”

Koundé's troubles dealing with Omorodion: “Araújo is the best at that because he could see he was having problems. In the end, Koundé set up the first goal for Lewandowski.”

Lewandowski’s role: “Robert always stands up to be counted. He was the difference-maker again today. We got the three points because of his great goal and the penalty.”

The international break: “I’m sure we will improve. This team has done great things. We have to keep going. Everything is OK, we just need to stay calm.”

Barça “giving the ball away too much”

General assessment of the game: “The goal we conceded is unacceptable. We wanted to put them under pressure right from the start and for Araújo to pick up a second ball. But Gündogan lost possession when he normally wouldn’t have. From that moment on, we got our act together a bit, although they had chances to make it 0-2. In the second half, we improved and were more likes ourselves, at least for 35 minutes. But we have to improve a lot. We need to be better organised and not give the ball away so much. We have been giving it away too much at the beginning of the season.”

Boos at Montjuïc: “I didn’t hear any boos. I’d give the fans 10 out of 10. I was focused on the game. The team pulled it off when it wasn’t looking good.”

Xavi: Some players “not playing with freedom”

Half-time team talk: “It’s obvious that we’re not at our best at the moment, but in the end, we’ve won two matches without playing well. I told them to stay calm, not to pay attention to the ‘background noise’ and to be brave. That we would surely come back into the game. Some players are not playing with freedom, I don’t know if it’s because of the pressure from outside or what. The younger ones seem especially affected. The experienced players don’t need to be told anything because they are very thick-skinned and are used to it.”

Advice for players affected by criticism: “They seem tense to me. They have to fight back against it. I was told I was a cancer to Barça, and here I am as the coach.”

Negativity surrounding the team: “I never feel negativity. I don’t know if that’s a strength or a weakness. I don’t like seeing my players not enjoying themselves on the field. Last year, we were much worse than this. It might feel like we’re going after them but it’s not like that. I try to emit calmness and tranquility.”

Nervousness: “There’s too much nervousness within the group, far too much.”

Did you read them the riot act at halftime?: “Well, no. I spoke more softly than ever. I only asked them to stay calm and be organised.”