Barcelona Boss Xavi Laments Media's 'Funeral'-Like Reaction To Recent Run Of Form

There is no doubt that Barcelona boss Xavi has been the subject of quite the critique this season, and the former WC-winning midfielder has had enough of the dismal reaction to the club’s recent run of poor form.

The Blaugranas, despite having secured Champions League qualification once again by finishing at the top of their table, are still under duress as they are placed fourth in La Liga and are currently on a two-game losing streak.

A 4-2 thrashing to league leaders Girona followed by a 3-2 shock defeat to Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Champions League this week has put the Catalan boss on the chopping block yet again as all eyes are Barcelona to recoup and attain newer heights soon.

But, the heat got to the Barcelona boss, who spoke to reporters, lamenting about the unfair lack of recognition that the club garners for the progress it has made over the last year, and also revealed that he had received messages akin to a funeral as a response to the Catalans’ recent form.

“It’s time to be composed, calm, and regain confidence. I believe in the project more than ever, and we are united. I spoke to with Deco yesterday, everything is ok. We’ve got the league [to play for], [and] it’s true that we have to improve and add more – the Super Cup and the Copa Del Rey. I don’t get it. It’s time to come together, to believe in the project. It’s the most complicated club in the world because of its entorno (environment).As if it were a funeral, as if my father or mother had died,” said a spirited Xavi.

“None of you congratulated me in the last press conference for qualifying [for the last 16]. This is the unreality that I see. If the season ends excellently, then what? We’re going to be having a hard time or be depressed… But it’s all to play for. On the day of Atletico [Madrid] we were a 10 and now we are a zero.”

But, one good takeaway from this frustrating period for Xavi and the club has been the unity of the players and their belief in themselves to get better and out of this slump as soon as possible.

“In the dressing room everyone is training really well and they get really annoyed when things do not go well,” Xavi added.

“The players believe in what they are doing. I think they (media) are generating a tension that is not necessary. A month ago I was told I could be the Ferguson of Barcelona, now I might be sacked…stability is what the club needs.

“We are a winning project and we cannot go into a deep depression every time there is a slump… The alarms always go off here when things don’t go well, because everything is in play. Last season things went worse and we ended up having a good season. We have to be positive.”