Don't Want To Find A Reason, Coach Xavi Hernandez Criticizes The Mentality Of Barcelona Players

Barcelona Lamine Yamal failed to perform optimally when they drew 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano. (fcbarcelona.com)

JAKARTA - Barcelona almost lost against Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish La Liga match. Coach Xavi Hernandez sparked the mentality of his players so that they were only able to draw 1-1 against Vallecano.

Barca is like at the nadir point. They couldn't do anything when they faced Vallecano at the Vallecas Stadium, Saturday, November 25 evening WIB.

Even in that match, no Barca player scored despite being strengthened by Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres to Lamine Yamal's young star.

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong has also returned to play. Previously, the Dutch national team player had rested for more than a month due to a muscle injury. De Jong's presence made the Barca squad better.

However, the Blaugrana failed to show their best performance. Vallecano took the lead first through Unai Lopez. Barca needed Florian Lejeune's own goal to avoid defeat.

Xavi highlighted the issue of mentality which is actually the key for the team to win or lose. According to him, players did not show the mentality of the Barca team, especially in the first half.

"We shouldn't be able to just give more goals. This puts us on penalties. In modern football, changes often occur when you lead the game. But when you have to catch up, things get difficult," said Xavi.

Xavi menilai permainan tim sudah lebih baik di babak kedua. Hanya saja Barca sudah terlambat sehingga mengalami kesulitan.

"Problemnya kami sudah terlambat. Jika kami bermain seperti ini sejak menit pertama, tentu hasil akhir akan berbeda. Cara bermain yang seharusnya seperti itu memang tidak dimulai di babak kedua tetapi di babak pertama," ucapnya.

Lebib continued, Xavi said that players must change mentally. There is no need to make excuses but improve yourself if you want to defend the title.

"We have to dare to correct ourselves. We have to improve ourselves if we want to win the league title. And we have to give more," he said.

"Last season, we won the league and won the Super Cup. But it can't be done if we relax. We have to give more if we want to win," Xavi emphasized.

"There is no need to find excuses. It is better for us to correct ourselves and change our mentality," he said.

The draw against Vallecano made Barca stuck in third place with 31.

However, their position was then shifted by Atletico Madrid who beat Mallorca 1-0. Both teams have the same points but Atletico are ahead on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Girona's surprise team is still perched at the top of the standings with points 34. Followed by Real Madrid who pocketed point 32.