Xavi reveals the reason for Barca's poor form

Out of the five champions in the top European leagues, currently only PSG is at the top of the table. Manchester City is currently second, as well as Bayern Munich, while the situation with Napoli is the worst – Serie A champions is eight points far from the league leaders Inter, while Barcelona is currently fourth, with four points behind Real, but this could increase tonight, if Girona wins against Bilbao and take over the top of La Liga. In that case, Barca would be seven points further from the first spot. The Catalans are in worst shape, apart from Napoli of all current champions in Top 5 leagues, with one defeat (vs Real at home) and four unexpected draw. The last one happened on Saturday.

For Barcelona, getting a point in Vallecas is a big deal! A clumsy own goal gives Barca a sticky draw

Getafe, Majorka, Granada and Rayo Vallecano all managed to ‘bite’ a point from Spanish champion, who defeated much stronger teams like Real Sociedad, but stumbled against inferior opposition. Nobody believes that newly promoted Girona will be able to keep up pace with the greats, but Real’s form is troubling Barcelona fans. Still, president Joan Laporta gives clear indications that Xavi has his full support and even puts the blame on the most recent draw on the referee at the Rayo game.

“As for Raphinha, I think we all agree that it was a penalty. And Lewandowski’s too. They were two very clear penalties. For us it is a pride to have a coach like Xavi, we have always said it. We are totally with him. We have complete confidence in him and now he has all the players available. Frenkie and Pedri are available and we have many more solutions than we had. In this time with the injuries he has managed to move forward, which was not easy. We trust that he will go well against Porto. We see him very motivated” he told TV3 ahead of the Champions League game.

On his side, Xavi tried to explains the reasons why his players are currently not on top of their game, like they were last season. For him, it might be motivation, having won La Liga last season.

“It happens, the most difficult thing in sport is to win after having won. That’s why individual athletes who don’t stop winning, for whom winning is a drug, deserve tremendous admiration. We have won but we have to win again, and be a competitive animal. You have to change your mentality and know that you have to be more involved and more concentrated. From the first minute. We have given away a lot of things this season. Last year we didn’t give anything away and that’s why we got better results” said Barca coach .

LA LIGA - Matchday 14

Friday

Alaves - Granada 3-1 (2-0)

/Torrent 11 og, Rebbach 38, Omorodion 55 - Uzuni 86 pen/

Saturday

Rayo Vallecano - Barcelona 1-1 (1-0)

/Lopez 39 - Lejeune 82 og/

Valencia - Celta Vigo 0-0

Getafe - Almeria 2-1 (2-1)

/Greenwood 33, Mayoral 45 - Ramazani 7/

Atletico Madrid - Real Mallorca 1-0 (0-0)

/Griezmann 62/

Sunday

Villareal - Osasuna 3-1 (0-0)

/Morales 57, 71, 80 - Catena 78/

Sociedad - Sevilla 2-1 (2-0)

/Dmitrovic (og) 3, Sadiq 22 - El-Nesyri 60/

Cadiz - Real Madrid 0-3 (0-1)

/Rodrygo 14, 64, Bellingham 71/

23.00: (1.79) Betis (3.50) Las Palmas (5.00)

Monday

23.00: (2.40) Girona (3.50) Ath.Bilbao (3.15)

23.00: (1.90) Mallorca (3.50) Cadiz (4.70)

***odds are subject to change