Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández was left frustrated after his team’s 3-3 draw against Granada, which increased the gap between Barcelona and LaLiga leaders Real Madrid to 10 points. The match was marked by comical defending from Barcelona, as they found themselves trailing 2-1 and 3-2 against second-bottom Granada. Despite a brace from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal earning Barcelona a point, it was not enough to prevent more points slipping away in the title race.
Not Throwing in the Towel
Xavi acknowledged the difficulty of the task at hand but expressed his determination to continue fighting for the LaLiga title. In the post-game news conference, he stated, “LaLiga was already difficult and now even more so with more points gone. It’s a big gap to Madrid and five now to Girona, but we are not going to throw the towel in.” Xavi emphasized the need for Barcelona to avoid further slip-ups, highlighting missed opportunities to secure victory and conceding goals in situations where there was little danger.
Barcelona’s season has been plagued by poor defending, which was once again evident in the draw against Granada. Their inability to effectively defend allowed Granada’s Ricard Sánchez and Facundo Pellestri to give their team the lead, with Robert Lewandowski equalizing before Ignasi Miquel restored Granada’s advantage. The match against Granada was not an isolated incident, as Barcelona had previously conceded three goals in a draw against Villarreal in January. In fact, they have conceded a total of 24 goals in 11 games across all competitions in 2024, making them the side with the most goals conceded among Europe’s top five leagues.
Xavi acknowledged the defensive problems that have haunted Barcelona throughout the season. He stated, “We gave away too much defensively…We have to minimize the amount of mistakes. It’s the same defensive errors that have marked the season.” The 24 goals conceded in the current campaign contrast starkly with their defensive solidity in the title-winning season, where they had only conceded eight goals after 24 league games. Xavi attributed the difference to changes in form, the loss of players, an inability to play together, and concentration errors.
Following the defeat against Villarreal, Xavi announced his decision to step down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season. He described the draw against Granada as a “step back” but highlighted a positive reaction from his players, as they secured seven points out of a possible nine since his decision was made public. Xavi’s departure adds an extra layer of uncertainty to Barcelona’s season, as they try to navigate through their defensive struggles and secure positive results.
Amidst the disappointment, there have been some bright spots for Barcelona, particularly the emergence of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Despite his inexperience, Yamal has already become an influential player for the team, with his double against Granada taking him to a total of three LaLiga goals. This tally had never been achieved by someone before their 17th birthday, showcasing Yamal’s potential and bright future in the game. Granada coach Alexander Medina acknowledged the threat posed by Yamal and praised his performance, stating, “He’s a kid with an enormous present and future in the game.”
Barcelona’s defensive woes continue to plague them in their pursuit of the LaLiga title. Xavi Hernández remains determined to fight on, despite the increasing gap to league leaders Real Madrid. The team’s defensive issues, marked by recurring mistakes and a high number of goals conceded, have been a major obstacle throughout the season. Xavi’s decision to step down at the end of the season adds another layer of uncertainty to Barcelona’s campaign. However, the emergence of young talents like Lamine Yamal provides a glimmer of hope for the future. Only time will tell if Barcelona can overcome their defensive struggles and salvage their season.
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