Barcelona supervisor Xavi issued an apology to the crew’s followers after their lopsided defeat to Actual Madrid on Sunday, which resulted in his facet dropping the Spanish Tremendous Cup.
Actual Madrid received 4-1 within the remaining of the match after taking a 2-0 lead simply 10 minutes in. Vinicius Junior scored a first-half hat trick, whereas Robert Lewandowski scored Barcelona’s lone purpose of the sport within the thirty third minute. Issues received worse for Barcelona within the 72nd minute when Ronald Araujo was despatched off after receiving two yellow playing cards.
“All we are able to do proper now’s settle for the criticism and apologize to the followers,” Xavi mentioned following the defeat. “We did not present up as a crew enjoying in a remaining, a lot much less in opposition to Actual Madrid. I am essentially the most accountable.”
He additionally unofficially gave himself a vote of confidence regardless of mounting criticism on Barcelona’s performances this season. They presently sit in fourth place in La Liga and are 9 factors behind league leaders Girona throughout a season that has been marred by slender victories, inconsistent outcomes and a few notable defeats. Two outcomes that stand out within the latter class are their 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in Champions League play on Nov. 7 and their 4-2 defat by Girona on Dec. 10, however Sunday’s result’s a brand new low this season.
“I preserve trusting the venture and I preserve trusting myself,” he mentioned. “We are going to preserve going.”
Xavi, who acquired a vote of confidence from membership director Deco, additionally expressed perception in his crew’s means to reply.
“All I can do is settle for the criticism and preserve working,” Xavi added. “There’s nothing else we are able to do. It is a laborious defeat however we have responded many occasions from powerful moments and I am nonetheless satisfied that we’ll return [to] compete on the highest degree.”
Barcelona have the prospect to rebound on Thursday, after they face second-division facet Unionistas in Copa del Rey motion earlier than resuming to La Liga play in opposition to Actual Betis on Sunday.
