Xavi admits Barca played the worst game of the season

"The first half was probably our worst moment this season," coach Xavi said in a press conference after Barca lost their 13-match unbeaten streak in La Liga. "There is no excuse for a team that lacks desire and intensity. Barca missed a golden opportunity to increase the gap on the scoreboard. This is a huge disappointment."

Before the match, Barca was expected to win to relieve after being eliminated from the European arena by Man Utd. They are unbeaten in the last 13 Almeria matches in La Liga, including 11 wins and two draws, averaging three goals per game. But the goal in the middle of the first half made Barca unable to get up. Xavi's students hit 13 shots in the whole match, but only once the ball hit the Almeria goal.

Barca missed the opportunity to increase the gap with Real to 10 points after the rival only drew Atletico 1-1 this round. The Camp Nou owner is still at the top of La Liga with 59 points, seven points more than Real when the season has 15 rounds left.

Coach Xavi himself could not keep a cool head in the match at Almeria. He received a yellow card at the beginning of the second half, bringing the total number of cards from the beginning of the season to 5 and will lose the right to direct when Barca play Valencia next round. Midfielder Gavi, who has just returned from being absent from the Man Utd defeat due to suspension, also received the same punishment.

"I reacted and it was my fault. Obviously I shouldn't have," admitted Xavi. "The team must return soon because the race is still long. There are survival matches ahead."

Before meeting Valencia in the 24th round of La Liga this weekend, Barca will play the first leg semi-final of the King's Cup with Real on March 2. The last time Barca won this title was in 2021, when they beat Athletic Bilbao in the final. Last year Barca was eliminated in the round of 16, and Real lost in the quarterfinals.