‘Barcelona missed a golden chance’ - Xavi reacts to shock defeat

The Blaugrana lost their second home game in a row on Monday night to Cadiz.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has written off his side’s La Liga title hopes and said they missed a ‘golden chance’ to move clear in the top-four race after a 1-0 defeat to Cadiz at Camp Nou.

Just days upon losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-finals at home, Barca disappointed again against a relegation-threatened Cadiz team in La Liga.

The Andalusian visitors left Camp Nou with a 1-0 win thanks to a 48th-minute effort from Lucas Perez. The result leaves Barcelona 15 points behind league leaders Real Madrid. And while they still have a game in hand, Xavi accepts it’s practically game over as far as a title bid is concerned.

What did Xavi say?

Speaking to reporters afterward, the Barcelona manager said: “We are angry, the players first, because we missed a golden chance to separate ourselves from those in the fight for the Champions League places and also to [keep] fighting for La Liga, which we’ve practically said goodbye to now.

“We have to play with more determination. This is Barca and we have to do more. The rivals sit deep and that requires decisions that are harder to take. We have to get in the box more. We have trained it.

“It was about having faith and the team lacked that and I am the first to blame. We have a lot to play for, a place in the Champions League is on the line, and that’s why I am angry. The team had to show more.”

Xavi added: “We cannot lose at home to Cadiz. Now to work hard, we have seven finals left, starting with Real Sociedad on Thursday, and we have to play them as such.”

Can Barcelona get back to winning ways?

As mentioned by Xavi, Real Sociedad on Thursday is next on the agenda for Barcelona. Only five points lie between the second-placed Catalans and the Basque side in sixth. This match in San Sebastian could prove pivotal in the top-four race.

Despite their recent slump, Barca are still favored by the bookies. Bet365 has priced an away win at 2.10. This suggests they have a 48% chance of claiming a crucial three points.