“Fight like animals or no chance to win” – Xavi FURIOUS at players after Barcelona’s poor showing against 20th-placed Almeria

Barcelona struggled to beat 20th placed Almeria as Xavi expressed his 'rage'.

“Fight like animals or no chance to win” – Xavi FURIOUS at players after Barcelona’s poor showing against 20th-placed Almeria

Xavi lashed out against his players for costly errors against Almeria. (Via X/@BarcaUniversal)

All is ‘not’ well at FC Barcelona. At least that’s what football journalist and transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has to say about the Blaugrana. The club struggled against Almeria to clinch a 3-2 victory on home turf. Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was not impressed with the club’s performance, to say the least. He expressed his ‘rage’ at the poor display from his players as he asked for more “passion”.

Barcelona earned all three points against Almeria but only managed to do so with great difficulty. It is expected that the defending champions would easily see off a club that was bottom of the table. With just one win to show in their last 4 games, both Xavi and his players have come under serious pressure. Xavi labeled the result as ‘unacceptable’.

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This was a match that should've ended 2-0 or 3-0...but the team does not have the spirit that it showed last season, nor the aggression. It’s unacceptable.
Xavi said during the post-match interview

He also said that the squad lacks the spirit and aggression that they showed last season. In a brutal admission, Xavi said that the current squad is nothing at all compared to the ‘2010 Barca’.

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He added that not playing and running like ‘animals’ and attempting for every ball cannot be the case with the team. He also took responsibility for the team and said that it was his fault. 

Run like animals or no chance to win. Fight on every ball or we won’t win any title this season. We have to fight. I wanna see passion, always.

Barcelona rose to third, above Atletico Madrid with the win.

Barcelona struggle to topple 20th-placed Almeria

The Blaugrana earned a much-needed win against Almeria on Wednesday. However, it did not come without fault. Xavi’s men conceded two poor goals against the bottom side, calling for some harsh comments from Xavi. Barcelona took the lead through Raphinha, who was the first to react to a loose ball inside the box. Almeria took advantage of a poor mistake from Ronald Araujo to bring things back level.

Almeria's first goal against Barcelona was gifted from a defensive error
Almeria’s first goal against Barcelona. (Via X/@BarcaUniversal)

Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto then regained the advantage for his side through a good header in the 60th minute. Araujo’s second error of the night gifted Almeria a way back again. The Uruguayan tumbled into Inaki Pena as the ball agonizingly dropped to Edgar Gonzalez. Sergi Roberto once again saved his side through a deftly placed finish as the game ended 3-2. However, Xavi remained unimpressed.

https://twitter.com/Chava_snr/status/1737546571690959024?s=20

He criticized the team, urging them to rely on intensity if luck doesn’t favor them in football. Emphasizing a need for a more aggressive style, he likened players to “animals” for success. Acknowledging that without this shift, the club won’t secure any titles this season, he stressed that the team must fight and play with passion for a way out.

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