It has been a chastening week for Barcelona and coach Xavi Hernandez should take motion to cease his group from spiralling.
The Catalans drew with Inter Milan, leaving them on the verge of Champions League elimination, then suffered a bruising 3-1 defeat by rivals Actual Madrid within the Clasico on Sunday in La Liga.
Los Blancos leapfrogged Barcelona to maneuver three factors clear on the prime of the desk and the problem for Xavi is to boost his group’s morale and keep firmly within the title battle, not permitting his group to lick their wounds and stumble additional.
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Shedding to Madrid was a nasty blow for Barcelona’s confidence however zooming out, it’s only a blip in an extended season.
It could be simply as damaging to drop factors in opposition to Villarreal on Thursday at Camp Nou.
Unai Emery’s facet go to understanding they’ll capitalise on Barcelona’s latest struggles to earn one other victory over the Catalans, as they did on the ultimate day of final season to safe European soccer.
Barcelona completed with their lowest factors whole in La Liga for 14 years, a great distance behind champions Actual Madrid, and regardless of a number of summer season signings, the Clasico uncovered {that a} hole stays between the golf equipment.
Together with financial issues, with the group set for a Champions League exit, the sporting points proceed to mount. Sunday’s defeat signifies that Xavi has the worst document of any Barcelona coach after 50 video games in cost in latest historical past, though in contrast to his counterparts he has not been in a position to depend on the membership’s greatest participant of all time, Lionel Messi.
“We’ve got to alter the dynamic, the season may be very lengthy,” mentioned Xavi. “Generally you’re down, however now we have to be robust, preserve believing and dealing, I don’t know another approach to get to success. Fortunately, it’s solely three factors misplaced and now now we have to organize to face Villarreal.”
The coach could look to rotate for the go to of the “Yellow Submarine” after Gavi, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres impressed within the Clasico after coming off the bench. The latter two mixed for Barcelona’s late objective which pulled the rating again to 2-1, giving them a glimmer of hope earlier than Rodrygo gained and dispatched a penalty in stoppage time.
Veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets has been within the highlight after making a mistake which price the group a objective in opposition to Inter Milan, after which failing to take down Toni Kroos forward of Madrid’s first objective within the Clasico. He may be part of Gerard Pique on the bench.
“We’ve got to make a foul,” mentioned Xavi. “(However) I’m the one accountable. I’ll by no means blame the gamers. Soccer is a recreation of errors and now we have to minimise them.
“Madrid minimise them and make the most of their good moments, that’s why they’re an incredible group and have been profitable for years. We’re simply beginning out, we’re in a maturing course of, however on a superb path.”
Participant to look at: Reinildo Mandava
The Mozambican Atletico Madrid defender put in a superb show to assist his group preserve a clear sheet in opposition to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. If Diego Simeone’s facet wish to mount a title problem and restore their earlier solidity in defence then Mandava shall be a vital a part of that. The left-back has been in elegant type this season and Rayo Vallecano can not count on a lot pleasure in a Madrid derby conflict on Tuesday.
Key stats
3 – Cadiz, nineteenth, have drawn three matches in a row forward of their conflict with high-flying Actual Betis.
8 – Three gamers have made eight La Liga appearances as an alternative this season: Barca’s Ansu Fati, Athletic Bilbao’s Raul Garcia and Rayo Vallecano’s Radamel Falcao.
44 – Brian Olivan has despatched in additional crosses than another participant within the league. The latest paid off, with Joselu heading dwelling in opposition to Actual Valladolid on Sunday.
Fixtures (all occasions GMT)
Tuesday
Sevilla v Valencia (1700), Getafe v Athletic Bilbao (1800), Atletico Madrid v Rayo Vallecano (1900)
Wednesday
Actual Valladolid v Celta Vigo (1700), Cadiz v Actual Betis (1700), Actual Sociedad v Actual Mallorca (1800), Elche v Actual Madrid (1900)
Thursday
Almeria v Girona (1700), Osasuna v Espanyol (1800), Barcelona v Villarreal (1900)
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