Xavi's Frustration with Barcelona's Performance

Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, expressed his anger and disappointment with his team's performance after their 3-2 victory over Almeria on Wednesday. He called out his players, demanding that they "run like animals" if they want to reach the heights of the club's past successes.

A Hard-Fought Victory

Barcelona faced a tough challenge from Almeria, the bottom club in La Liga who are yet to secure a league win this season. Despite being pegged back twice, Barcelona managed to secure all three points thanks to Sergi Roberto's winning goal in the 83rd minute.

Xavi's Criticism and Expectations

In a post-match interview, Xavi expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's lack of aggression in the first half. He admitted that it was his fault and vowed that it would not happen again. He urged his players to fight for every ball, emphasizing that they are not the same Barcelona team from 2010 and need to show more determination to win titles.

Xavi emphasized the importance of passion and the need for his players to give their all on the pitch. He made changes at half-time, substituting Andreas Christensen and Joao Felix, which ultimately paid off with Roberto's decisive goal.

Barcelona's Recent Form and League Position

The victory over Almeria ended Barcelona's three-match winless streak. However, they currently sit in third place in La Liga, trailing surprise leaders Girona by six points. Barcelona's title hopes could be further affected depending on Girona's results in their upcoming match on Thursday night.

Xavi's Legacy at Barcelona

Xavi, a Barcelona legend as a player, returned to the club as the manager in 2021. During his playing career, he won 25 trophies and made 767 appearances for the club. In his first season as manager, he led Barcelona to a league title, finishing 10 points ahead of rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona's next league match will take place on January 4 when they face Las Palmas.