Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Barca must fix 'mentality' to win trophies - Xavi

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 25 November 2023 09:27

Xavi Hernández said Barcelona must change their mentality if they are to have success this season after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Saturday.

Florian Lejeune's second half own goal cancelled out Unai López's opener as Barça's winless run against Rayo extended to five games.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Barça, who began the weekend in third place in LaLiga, four points behind leaders Girona, have now won just two of their last five matches in all competitions.

"I think it was a game of two halves," Barça coach Xavi said in his post-game news conference. "In the first, we dominated, but didn't really go for the game, we were not aggressive.

"We lacked that mentality to go for it. If we want to win trophies this season, we have to change our mentality.

"The second half was good but not enough. We woke up too late. We did what we wanted: dominated and created chances. We could have scored more.

"But we have to win these games if we want to win LaLiga, so we have to be self-critical, too, and improve. We have to be closer to the second half performance."

The result will further increase the pressure on Xavi ahead of pivotal games at home against Porto, Atlético Madrid and Girona in the next two weeks.

"It's normal that there is criticism, but I know we can turn this around, there is plenty of time," the Barça boss added.

"After winning LaLiga and the [Spanish] Super Cup [last season], maybe our mentality has subconsciously dropped a bit. You cannot allow that, neither from me as a coach nor the players. We have to give more."

López gave Rayo the lead in Vallecas with a brilliant strike from distance which beat Iñaki Peña, who was filling in for the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.

Barça fought back after the break, with Ferran Torres, Pedri and Iñigo Martínez coming close with headers before Lejeune turned Alejandro Balde's cross into his own net with Robert Lewandowski waiting to pounce.

Xavi was left aggrieved his side weren't then awarded a late penalty for an Alfonso Espino challenge on Raphinha, while he also complained about a possible offside against Sergio Camello in the Rayo goal.

"We think [Camello's position] conditions the goal," he said. "If he doesn't have a player behind him, Balde could even have let the ball go past him [on the initial block].

"They're decisions that are going against us. You will tell me I am looking for excuses, but there was also a clear penalty on Raphinha at the end.

"We are not having any luck with these decisions. That's not an excuse. It is a clear penalty. We [also] have to be self-critical and play better."

Rayo coach Francisco said he had not seen the penalty claim back, but felt the draw was the right result.

"The first half was even and we both had chances," he said. "We were good tactically. We sunk deeper in the second half, but I don't remember them being excessively superior. A point is fair."

Rayo remain ninth in LaLiga after just one win in their last nine games, although they have now drawn with Real Madrid and Barça during that run.

Read 63 times

Soccer

What should Gio Reyna do next after failed Forest loan, and what's the USMNT impact?

What should Gio Reyna do next after failed Forest loan, and what's the USMNT impact?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGiovanni Reyna's plan seemed solid enough. Leave Borussia Dortmund...

Injured Messi out for Miami's game at Orlando

Injured Messi out for Miami's game at Orlando

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's match against Orlando City on...

Ten Hag: 'Example' Fernandes wanted at Man Utd

Ten Hag: 'Example' Fernandes wanted at Man Utd

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErik ten Hag assured Bruno Fernandes that Manchester United want to...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Bickerstaff future a question for Cavs; Mitchell, too

Bickerstaff future a question for Cavs; Mitchell, too

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- After Cleveland saw its season end in a 113-98 loss to th...

Luka keeps peace with refs, dominates pivotal G5

Luka keeps peace with refs, dominates pivotal G5

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, quite inte...

Baseball

Scherzer to 60-day IL; can't return until May 28

Scherzer to 60-day IL; can't return until May 28

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Max Scherzer was transferred to the 60-day inju...

Rutschman walkoff saves O's streak of no sweeps

Rutschman walkoff saves O's streak of no sweeps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- Adley Rutschman has still never been swept in the regu...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated