Xavi: We Have To Create A New Barcelona

Xavi Hernandez watching the Barcelona players' training session (Christof Stache/Antara)

JAKARTA - Xavi Hernandez says he now has the task of creating a new Barcelona after his team was recently eliminated early in the Champions League and relegated to the Europa League.

Barcelona's 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich on Thursday 9 December saw them crash out of the Champions League at the group stage for the first time in almost two decades and they are also 16 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid in LaLiga.

In a press conference ahead of Sunday night's clash with Osasuna, Xavi said he was surprised when he saw the atmosphere in the dressing room "lacking confidence."

Xavi also believes that his team's problems are more psychological than football.

"There are a lot of quality players here," he was quoted as saying by Reuters on Saturday. "We need a general reset. I feel that defeat has happened and it can't be like that. We need to ask for more commitment, more demands, more courage, more work. We have to create a new Barca."

Barcelona's next game is away to Osasuna tomorrow night as Xavi tries to get his club back on track.

"I'm worried," added Xavi. "We have no choice but to continue working hard, recover from our injuries and get back on track."

“Against Bayern, I saw a small Barcelona and we have to accept it. We are working to bring Barca back to where we belong."

After losing 1-0 at home to Real Betis last weekend, Barcelona is seventh in LaLiga and six points adrift of next season's Champions League slot.

Barcelona's current situation is also exacerbated by a storm of injuries, with seven key players having to be sidelined. The seven players are Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Martin Braithwaite, Memphis Depay, and Sergio Aguero.

"We have to think about the worst possible scenario and work so that it doesn't happen," Xavi said. "We have to stay positive and know that the club is going through a complicated situation on a sporting and economic front."