Xavi admits ‘it is going to be hard’ for him to sleep after Barcelona dropped more points in their draw with Sevilla – but boss believes the performance was the version of his side the ‘people want’
Barcelona boss Xavi believes the performance in the 1-1 draw with Sevilla is the version of his side that the ‘people want’, but also shared his disappointment after they dropped yet more points.
The LaLiga giants remain in seventh spot and two points off the Champions League qualification places after their latest stalemate, with Xavi’s project enduring a mixed start since his return to the Nou Camp.
But his attempts to bring back the more possession-based, youth-centred times of old to the club slowly look to be paying off, and the manager has insisted that his blueprint is beginning to win over supporters.
Barcelona boss Xavi admitted he will find it hard to sleep after his side’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla
He also said, however, that he would struggle to sleep, haunted by the missed opportunity to clamber back up the table.
‘It’s a bittersweet sensation,’ Xavi said post-match, via Marca. ‘I think we performed well, but obviously we have to improve.
‘We’ve earned a point, but we have to be patient. We have to insist on this model – we’re on the right track. But it’s a shame because we had them.
Papu Gomez scored the opener for the hosts, condemning Barcelona to more dropped points
‘It’s difficult to take, not winning. It’s going to be hard for me to sleep. I think we should have won.
‘Sevilla are very experienced and very good tactically, but I leave here unsatisfied. But tomorrow I’ll look back and think we played well.
‘The performance, from the bench, I think was very good. I think this is the Barcelona people want.
‘The results tell all, but I think we enjoyed some good moments and the team competed very well.’
Xavi was given a reason to cheer after his side equalised to remain in touch with the top four
Ronald Araujo popped up with the leveller just before half-time, earning the visitors a point
Both Barcelona and Sevilla went into the clash desperately searching for a victory, with the latter looking to put pressure on Real Madrid at the summit.
It was the hosts who took the lead on 32 minutes after a classy training ground routine, which saw Papu Gomez meet a short corner before firing into the corner.
But the visitors equalised on the stroke of half-time through Ronald Araujo, who rose highest to meet Ousmane Dembele’s delivery to divert beyond goalkeeper Bono.
Jules Kounde was shown a straight red card for throwing the ball at Jordi Alba as tempers flared, but Barcelona weren’t able to score again against the ten men.
Jules Kounde was shown a red card in the second half after an altercation with Jordi Alba
And their failure to do so left Xavi crestfallen, despite him recognising the talents of the stubborn and talented Sevilla side.
‘They’re a very experienced team,’ he added. ‘They’re physical.
‘Kounde defended very well, and we created a lot from the wings today.
‘They’re a great team, but we were the better side today. I think we deserved more.’
