The “bad feelings” take over Xavi's team. “Recovering good play, good football" is the main objective for the Terrassa coach, as he assured this Wednesday at the end of the European duel against Antwerp (3-2). “This team has done it and I think they will do it." "We can recover," said the Egarense after the defeat. Barça is in the second round of the Champions League, but last night they once again showed that they are far from their best version.
It only took the Blaugrana team 75 seconds to concede a goal against Mark van Bommel's team, thus causing the culés to start the Champions League match in tow. A dynamic that has also been reflected in matches against teams like Granada or Alavés, when Bryan Zaragoza and Samu Omorodion scored as soon as the opening whistle was blown, on matchdays 9 and 13 of the league respectively.
Barça has started by losing six of its last seven games, including all competitions: Shakhtar, Alavés, Rayo, Porto, Girona and Antwerp. The victory against Atlético de Madrid two weeks ago in the national championship is the only exception (1-0). A symptom that demonstrates Barcelona's defensive fragility in some confrontations, as soon as the ball starts rolling.
This dynamic is also reflected in the overall season count. The culés have started behind on the scoreboard in 10 of the 22 matches they have played to date. Xavi's men have sealed four wins (Villarreal, Celta, Alavés and Porto), three draws (Mallorca, Granada and Rayo) and three defeats (Shakhtar, Girona and Antwerp), on those occasions when they have failed.
“We have to be critical of ourselves. They generate a lot for us and it is very difficult for us to do so,” Xavi commented at a press conference about the defensive fragility of his team, after losing to Antwerp. To this end, Barça has conceded almost the same goals in the league this season in 16 games as in the entire 2022-23 campaign.
