A defeat always causes havoc and generates doubts. Even more so when it is at home against a Real Madrid team that the Blaugrana dominated for an hour. Until they disconnected. And Barcelona, which counted its games in Montjuïc as victories, lost its unbeaten record to fall to fourth place in the League, surpassed by Atlético. If you add to all these ingredients Gündogan's “I would like to see more anger and disappointment in the locker room, I have not come to lose this type of game,” the storm is perfect. Xavi, coach and group manager, had to talk to his players and do therapy. Gündogan also told his teammates that his words were the result of frustration and that they were not directed at any specific teammate. “Gündogan expressed the anger that we all have. His culture is different from ours,” said Xavi of the German who has only been in the squad for three months but has just won five leagues and the last Champions League at City.
Now both Real Madrid and Girona have a four-point cushion over the Blaugrana, who need to react as soon as possible. In the team talk everyone agreed that there is no better way to change dynamics than by playing again. “What happens is not a matter of fatigue, but rather of disconnections. "We have trained much better this week. We have prepared ourselves to play against a team that plays very good football," said Xavi, referring to the visit to the Reale Arena, the fortress of a Real Sociedad that, after qualifying for the Champions League, remains undefeated at home. In the League, Imanol Alguacil's team has only lost against Madrid and Atlético. The whites had to come back at the Bernabéu and the colchoneros were only able to defeat them in the 89th minute and with a penalty.
The statistics are in favor of Barcelona. Barça's last three visits to Donosti ended with a Barça victory and last year after losing the Bernabéu classic 3-1, Barça had five wins in a row. They beat Villarreal, Athletic, Valencia, Almería and Osasuna. With that plenary session on the 15th, they went from being three points behind Madrid to going into the World Cup break as the leader with a two-point lead. A champion's reaction that he must now repeat if he wants to defend the title successfully. "We are on the right way. I see the team prepared. There are four points and there is a lot of League left”, analyzed a smiling Xavi who tries to shield himself from all criticism to focus on his duties: “I convey everything but complacency. I demand a lot from myself. "It's hard for everyone to like the Barça coach." And he does not feel worried about what could happen in the event of a defeat this Saturday against Real Sociedad, which could place his team 7 points behind the leaders. “I know where I am,” he replied.
Xavi's optimism grows when he recovers his strength after two months dealing with up to six footballers in the infirmary. With Lewandowski, Raphinha and Koundé discharged, yesterday it was Pedri's turn who, 71 days later, returns to a list. “The deadlines have been met. He is one hundred percent,” said Xavi. He couldn't say the same for De Jong. “He has been tested but he is in pain,” he explained. The Dutchman is expected to return in two weeks after the national team break.
