Xavi Hernandez admits it hurts to be defeated at home as the Barcelona boss record first loss as Barca manager.
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez admits that their defeat to Real Betis at home hurts as he claims they were in good form.
The Spanish side recorded their first defeat under their new manager Xavi in the La Liga when Real Betis grab a late goal to claim three points.
The former Barcelona captain insisted that Barcelona didn’t deserve to lose to Real Betis at the Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon.
The former Al Sadd boss lamented the manner in which his team reacted when Betis tried to hit on the counter, as he stressed that his side should improve tactically.
What Xavi said.
“When we were at our best, the goal came on the counter,” said Xavi.
“You have to be more tactical. They shouldn’t catch you [off guard] on the counter.
“We knew about their transitions. We had a few good minutes. It is too harsh a punishment for the game we have played. It is a defeat that hurts. At home. We were in good form, but that’s how football is.
He added that, “We have to dominate the games more. We have to stop counters. These are situations that we have to control. It has been unfair. This is the Barcelona we want, but we have to improve. We have to be tactically smarter.”
Xavi admitted that Barcelona may have not deserved all three points away at Villarreal, but he believes that they should have come out victorious from the Betis clash.
“On Wednesday there is another important match,” added Xavi.
He further stated that”We cannot afford to fail any more [big tests]. But I think the second half was good.
“At Barcelona, you constantly play ‘finals’. I don’t like to lose. We didn’t deserve it. Sometimes, you don’t deserve to win and you do it, like against Villarreal.
“And today it was the other way around. We can’t permit [conceding] goals like the one we allowed in. We have been [together for] a short time, but it is a shame.
“We have to cheer up and get the team ready for Wednesday.”
