MY ACCOUNT
Barcelona coach Xavi expressed his gratitude for the support from former boss Ronald Koeman as he implored the Blaugrana to respond against Real Mallorca.
Xavi’s side sit third in LaLiga, a point behind second-placed Sevilla – who have played a game more – and 15 behind runaway leaders Real Madrid.
However, Barca have fallen to three straight home defeats in all competitions for just the second time in their history, last doing so under Louis van Gaal between the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons.
That torrid run culminated in their elimination from the Europa League and placed slight doubt over Champions League qualification, though they are six points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis.
Koeman suggested on Thursday that Xavi deserves more support than he received when at Barca, with the Spaniard lifting the Blaugrana from ninth to third following the Dutchman’s dismissal last October.
While Xavi welcomed the support of a fellow coach and revealed his admiration for Koeman, the 42-year-old urged Barca to improve against Mallorca on Sunday.
“I’m not going to change the feelings that Ronald has. I wasn’t there and I’m not going to give my opinion,” he told reporters at a pre-match news conference on Saturday.
“I have tremendous respect and admiration for him. Everyone has to support Barca. I have the utmost respect for Ronald for the work and effort he made. Thank him, nothing more.
“We are here and I do feel the support of the club and of Barcelona in general. It seemed that we had hit the key, but suddenly there were three defeats in a row.
“Now we have to see to the coach, the players, show our faces.”
Barca have never lost four home games in a row in their history, and Xavi reiterated his calls for his side to respond against Mallorca, who have lost their last eight league meetings with the Blaugrana.
“It is time to take a step forward,” he added. “You have to make more of a team than ever and bring out your personality. It’s not because of a bad attitude.
“It’s because of situations that have weighed us down. We have to improve. It’s time to push it forward and bring out the personality. I have a winning team and that’s the reality.
“You have to set challenges. Those who have the most desire will enter the Champions League. This is a club made to win titles. The second is the minimum required.
“On Monday we were angry, on Tuesday less and on Wednesday we were already working.
“It is a reality and you have to prepare yourself for that. You have to have faith to achieve the minimum objective.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat against Espanyol the day before Barca are in action.
“If they are champions, we will congratulate them,” he said of Madrid.
“They have been better because this is a long competition and usually the one who deserves it wins. We will congratulate them and next year we will compete better.”
