Barcelona’s recent struggles have led to a barrage of criticism, with many pointing fingers at the players and, in particular, coach Xavi Hernández. One player who has felt the weight of the blame is Ferran Torres. After a fourth defeat in nine games, Torres spoke out about the desire to “destroy” Barcelona that seems to emanate from the public. Despite the mounting pressure, Torres expressed his unwavering support for Xavi and his confidence that the team will be able to turn things around.
The defeat against Antwerp in the Champions League was a bitter blow for Barcelona, who had already secured their place in the round of 16 as group winners. The loss came on the back of a disappointing 4-2 defeat against Girona in LaLiga, further fueling the criticism surrounding Xavi’s coaching abilities. With Barcelona currently seven points off the top spot in the league, the pressure is mounting to find a solution and regain their winning form.
Ferran Torres made it clear that he stands firmly behind coach Xavi and his ideas. He emphasized that while it is easy to criticize the coach, it is ultimately the players who are on the pitch and responsible for the team’s performance. Torres acknowledged that there is often external noise and attempts to undermine Barcelona, but he remains confident that the team will be able to rise above the negativity and turn their fortunes around.
The match against Antwerp was a rollercoaster of emotions for Barcelona and their fans. Arthur Vermeeren gave Antwerp an early lead, but Ferran Torres equalized before halftime. Vincent Janssen then restored Antwerp’s lead, but 17-year-old Marc Guiu managed to salvage a point for Barcelona with a stoppage-time goal. However, the jubilation was short-lived as Nigeria forward George Ilenikhena scored in the 92nd minute, securing the victory for Antwerp. The match highlighted Barcelona’s ongoing struggles and their difficulty in finding consistency.
In his post-game news conference, Xavi candidly admitted that the team is on a bad run and that they need to be self-critical. He highlighted the lack of creativity and the struggle to create chances as major areas for improvement. Xavi refrained from singling out individual players, instead emphasizing that the team as a whole needs to step up. He acknowledged that confidence is a key factor and that the weight of wearing the Barcelona shirt can sometimes be overwhelming. Despite the recent setbacks, Xavi remained optimistic, pointing out that the team has already secured their place in the Champions League’s round of 16 and is still alive in four competitions.
Prior to the Antwerp match, there were reports of tension between Xavi and president Joan Laporta regarding the inclusion of certain players in the squad. Xavi allegedly had to make changes to the squad after initially leaving out Robert Lewandowski, Ronald Araújo, and Ilkay Gündogan. However, sources have insisted that Laporta did not impose anything on Xavi and that any controversy surrounding the situation is unnecessary. Xavi dismissed the reports, claiming that it was a decision made in agreement with sporting director Deco and the president.
The pressure is on Barcelona as they enter a crucial period in their season. With a winless streak in their away games, they face a challenging match against Valencia in LaLiga. Xavi labeled the upcoming game as a “final,” emphasizing the importance of securing a much-needed victory. It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will be able to bounce back and silence their critics, but one thing is certain: the pressure will only continue to mount until they do.
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