Barcelona lacked "belief and faith" in Athletic draw, says Xavi Hernandez

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez felt, at the end of the 0-0 draw at San Mames against Athletic, that his team "perhaps lacked more faith in what we are doing because it was a great opportunity" to close the gap on Madrid and overtake Girona.

"We were not comfortable, we can't be satisfied, we have to be self-critical. It was a great opportunity lost. I don't have the good feeling that the team could have won the game. I leave disappointed, but there are games in the season that happen," said the Catalan at a press conference.

Xavi also admitted that "the injuries have perhaps affected us", referring to those of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, because "they are two very decisive players".

"They are the ones who give the team personality in midfield," he said, hoping that "the recovery time in both cases will be less than expected".

On the match, the Catalan explained that they "found it very difficult to make progress", which he believes was "much to Athletic's credit, closing down passing lanes" when "they were under pressure". "It was difficult for us to make progress throughout the game, we didn't play a good game," he added, confessing that, in his opinion, "the only positive thing" was that they were "very good in defence".

Xavi revealed that "the dressing room is affected when they don't win and even more so knowing that it was a very good opportunity". "We didn't believe more in what we were doing, but Athletic also defended very well. In the first 15-20 minutes, the feeling was that we could win, but then the level dropped. Perhaps we lacked more belief in what we were doing because it was a great opportunity," he confessed.

"We gave everything, the team gave everything, they worked hard and Athletic barely created chances, but we weren't good on the ball", he summed up his team's performance.

 

March 4, 2024