Xavi Hernandez Calls Media Criticism Hampering Barcelona's Performance, Despite A 2-1 Win Over Deportivo Alaves

Robert Lewandkoski and Feran Torres celebrated Barcelona's winning goal. (photo: twitter @ferrantorres20)

JAKARTA - Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, revealed that criticism from the media had hampered his team's latest performance. Despite beating Deportivo Alaves 2-1 in La Liga on Sunday afternoon, Barca appeared less convincing. They even fell 1-0 in one minute of the match due to Samuel Omorodion's goal.

This performance is the latest in a series of unsatisfactory performances by the Xavi team, including a narrow 1-0 win over Real Sociedad which the manager deemed "unacceptable". Likewise with the defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk, 0-1 in the Champions League in the middle of last week.

After the victory over Alaves, Xavi firmly stated that the criticism his team received had a negative impact on the squad, especially on young players. "I have no doubt that criticism from the media influenced the team. This happened to me as a player and now I can see it," said Xavi.

"It's like a big wave of negativity surrounding a team that is detrimental to us. Criticism doesn't affect me, but affects the players. I can see it on their faces. Especially it has an impact on the young. We have to protect them," he added.

Xavi also admitted that the mistakes that occurred during the match "creating insecurity among the players." He gave an example of Ilkay Gundogan's negligence in causing Alaves' opener. "Gundogan loses the ball which he shouldn't lose and there is a transition. We can't allow mistakes like that. This is unacceptable," he said.

This condition marks a difficult phase for Barcelona, and Xavi hopes to provide special protection to young players amid the pressure and criticism.