Barcelona are four points and three places off the number one spot on the La Liga table behind Real Madrid, who are top only on a better goals difference than Girona, and after ending a UEFA Champions League knockout stage drought during the week, Xavi can focus on rediscovering form and getting back on track in the title race.
Xavi’s men beat Porto 2-1 on Tuesday to qualify for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League, and before that game, the manager demanded better from the team, which they delivered, and will now hope they remain consistent when they face Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
“I’m very critical of the players, in the videos, in the talks. We have to demand a lot of ourselves. We are not at the level we were a month and a half or two months ago. We have to push harder, recover our intensity our winning mentality. We have shown that. Now, we’ve dropped a bit. We have to be more humble, more generous, more compact.” Xavi said before Tuesday’s Champions League fixture.
Barcelona hosts Atletico Madrid on Sunday, December 3, at the Stadio Olimpico in a clash that could separate both teams who are joined with 31 points on the table after fourteen games, although the Madrid club has a game in hand.
Despite the game at hand, Diego Simeone’s men have a better goal difference than Barcelona, and they could go three points ahead with a win, which could increase to a six-point gap if they remain consistent and win their outstanding game.
Barcelona have last consistency in their last five La Liga games, which started with a 1-0 win over Athletic Club, then a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the El Clasico before bouncing back with a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad, 2-1 win against Alaves before a 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
Atletico Madrid have enjoyed a more consistent run with four wins and a 2-1 loss to Las Palmas.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
NBA’s all-time scoring leader LeBron James has officially announced his return for a 22nd season,… Read More
Arsenal appears to be on the verge of a significant transfer coup, having reportedly agreed… Read More
If anyone ever thought they had seen the last of Manny Pacquiao in the boxing… Read More
Although there are eight teams left in the Euro 2024 championship going on in Germany… Read More
Switzerland star Granit Xhaka has said his team already defeated Italy 'before even entering the… Read More
Hаvіng wоn LаLіgа аnd thе Chаmріоnѕ Lеаguе tо еnd hіѕ Rеаl Mаdrіd саrееr оn a… Read More