27 February 2023 , 14:24
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Xavi has labelled Barcelona's shock 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Almeria as "the worst game of the season" - as their Manchester United hangover becomes evident.
Barcelona suffered a surprise loss on Sunday thanks to El Bilal Toure's first-half goal. Xavi's side are still seven points clear of Real Madrid in second after the European champions failed to beat local rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu 24 hours earlier.
Barcelona's relentless form in LaLiga this season has put them in a great position, but their loss to Almeria suggests they are still reeling from their Europa League exit. United defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Old Trafford last Thursday - 4-3 on aggregate.
"It's the worst game of the season, both in attack and defence, as well as in construction and intensity," said Xavi after Sunday's game, as quoted by SPORT.
"Nothing has come of it. We've been very thick. Maybe fatigue takes its toll. We played a bad game. I'm angry because it was an opportunity to get within ten points [clear of Real] and we didn't manage it."
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Barcelona were regarded as one of the favourites to win the Europa League after dropping out of the Champions League. It was always going to be tough to beat United - considering their good form this term - but they would have been confident.
Robert Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury (Getty Images)Do you think Barcelona will win the LaLiga title? Let us know in the comments below!
The first leg between the two sides finished 2-2 at the Camp Nou. Barcelona took the lead at Old Trafford when Robert Lewandowski scored a first-half penalty, but goals from Fred and Antony secured a memorable win for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag's side were clearly buoyed by that victory, as they went on to beat Newcastle 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. First-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford were enough to secure the club's first major honour in six years.
To make matters worse for Barcelona, Lewandowski - who has scored 25 goals this season - has suffered a hamstring injury and is a doubt for their upcoming games against Real. Xavi's side face their bitter rivals three times between now and April 5.
Manchester United followed up their Europa League win by claiming the Carabao Cup (Manchester United via Getty Imag)Two of those fixtures are in the Copa del Rey. The winners of their two-legged tie will progress to the final, with Atletico Bilbao and Osasuna competing in the other semi-final. The Copa del Rey final is pencilled in for Saturday, May 6.
Xavi went on to say: "We are upset and we have to look for solutions now because the decisive stage in LaLiga and the cup is coming and we cannot fail any more.
"It was a golden opportunity having drawn Madrid and we have had the worst game at the worst moment of the season. You have to change your chip and your mentality... It annoys me a lot, it was a day to deliver a blow, not definitive, but important in LaLiga.
"We have failed, we have no excuse, we have not shown intensity, desire to win, and that's what worries me the most. Then you can play better or worse. We can fail, but in the first half, we didn't show passion or soul. We failed, we have to apologise to the fans.
"Today we couldn't play no way, we miss a golden opportunity... you have to play with passion, desire and illusion to win this league, that we haven't won it for three years.
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"We have to do many more things. It will cost us, we are not going to win it too much, we compete against Real Madrid, champion of the Champions League and LaLiga."