Xavi digs out Barcelona's mentality after more dropped points
- Barcelona rescued 1-1 draw with late own goal from Rayo Vallecano
- Xavi's team have struggled with performances in recent weeks
- Catalans haven't won by more than one game since September
Barcelona coach Xavi appeared to suggest that his team have the wrong attitude in the wake of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, suggesting there needs to be a change in mentality.
Barca came from behind to snatch a point with a late own goal at Vallecas, extending their woes against an opponent that has caused no end of trouble since promotion back to La Liga in 2022.
Xavi made changes to both his team and tactics early in the second half of the Rayo game, which did improve things. But, already trailing and 45 minutes down, it wasn't enough for a win.
"The mentality of the second half is good, but you already have an urgency," he reflected afterwards, via Mundo Deportivo. "It's already a little late. You have to go for the game from the first minute.
Xavi went on to imply that he thought winning La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana last season may have led Barcelona to their eye off the ball in terms of the necessary focus and drive.
"We have to change the mentality of going to win the games. The fact of winning La Liga and the super cup has affected us," he commented.
But while Xavi also admitted that "self-criticism" was important, he was also less than happy about the goal that Rayo scored – focusing on an offside that he thought affected play, as well penalty claims for incidents involving Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
"These are difficult situations that are going against us," he said.
It's not just a slow first half against Rayo that has been a problem in recent weeks. The Catalans have failed to win any game by more than a single goal since back-to-back 5-0 victories over Real Betis and Royal Antwerp in September.
There have been draws with Mallorca and Granada since then, while Barca lost the first Clasico of the season at home to Real Madrid, were beaten in the Champions League by Shakhtar Donetsk to leave them with work to do in Europe, and had to come from behind for their most recent La Liga win.
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