MADRID, 26 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, was disappointed with the defeat (1-0) this Sunday in the visit to Almería, for not showing the “passion” and “intensity” to take advantage of a “golden opportunity” in the fight for the League.
“It was a day to take an important step in the League. We have no excuse, we have not shown desire to play, intensity, is what worries me the most. You can fail, but you have to show passion and courage and in the first part we It has been missing. We have failed, it was an appointed day,” he said at a press conference.
“We lose a golden opportunity, we haven’t won the League for three years, I don’t understand the first part. We have also noticed the wear and tear, the elimination in Europe, but we have to change the chip if we want to win the League and the Cup”, he added .
The Catalan coach emphasized the bad first half of his team and the motivation they did not get on a key day for the lead after Real Madrid’s draw against Atlético on Saturday. “We want to win, but we have to show it. We have failed and today we couldn’t fail,” he commented.
“There is an Almería that is risking its life, the day has started in decline and they have put the intensity on. We have lacked it. In the second part we have seen something else but it was too late. The first part has been what worst of the season just when we couldn’t fail”, he stated.
With a seven-point margin now with Real Madrid, Barça faces the Copa del Rey this week with the first leg of the semifinals against the whites at the Santiago Bernabéu. “We’ll get up, but it’s not going to be easy. People think we’re going to win the League more than enough. It’s going to be hard for us to win titles. We’re competing against Real Madrid, League and Champions League champions. It’s going to be hard for us. You have to put more passion, more intensity, more rhythm”, he finished.