Xavi reacts after Barca disappointing draw to start LaLiga

Mueez Ajao

– Xavi Hernandez expressed his disappointment after Barcelona’s goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano on home soil in their LaLiga Santander opener on Saturday.

– The Barcelona coach admitted that expectations have been raised this season following the arrival of some big signings such as Robert Lewandowski, who failed to score in his official debut.

– “I understand the disappointment, we had generated a lot of expectations,” he told the post-match press conference.

Also Read: New-look Barca held to goalless draw by Rayo

– “We have to analyse the game well, improve and continue to believe in the model and keep working.

– “Rayo defended very well. It was hard for us to create more than usual. It’s a shame because we wanted to show the fans that we are on the right track.

– “It’s a disappointment, but we ask for patience. We needed to attack better and create chances. We didn’t play our best game. We are disappointed. It could be that the expectations were raised a little bit too high. It’s a bit insufficient.

– “I don’t want to look for excuses. Just explanations. There had better be high expectations.

– “I’m the first to accept these expectations. Maybe, by looking for an explanation, we have been a bit more stressed. We lacked effectiveness. It was a game we could have won well.”

❝We need to improve our effectiveness and must better understand how to create chances ❞
🗣 Xavi pic.twitter.com/48LtaSOQDD
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 13, 2022

– Frenkie de Jong came off the bench amidst rumours that he may depart the club this summer. However, Xavi made clear that he considers him as a key player for Barcelona.

– “He is not a backup [player],” Xavi added.

– “I’ve already said that. He’s an important player.

– “If he’s with us, he’s going to be a player who’s going to give us something. Even more so with this attitude.”

– The former Barcelona captain stressed that the team’s objective this season is to win titles after a campaign where they didn’t manage to win a single trophy.

– “[Winning titles] is the objective,” Xavi noted.

– “We have to analyse and improve. But this season the objective is to win titles. It doesn’t change anything. We can’t say ‘not now’ just because we drew [with Rayo].

– “If we don’t achieve it, it will be disappointing for me and for the club. Last year it was more difficult.”