XAVI has told his Barcelona flops to “run like animals” to have a chance of emulating the club’s former glories.
The Barca manager was left fuming after his side’s 3-2 victory over Almeria on Wednesday.
Barcelona were twice pegged back by La Liga’s bottom club, who are yet to win a league match this season.
Only Sergi Roberto’s 83rd minute winner was enough to rescue all three points for the Spanish champions.
Speaking after the match, an enraged Xavi exclaimed: “I can’t accept our first half, it’s my fault and it won’t happen again.
“We were not aggressive. It’s unacceptable.
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“We are NOT Barça 2010 here. Run like animals or no chance. Fight on every ball or we won’t win any title.
“We need to fight. I wanna see passion.”
Xavi’s dissatisfaction with the first half display saw him drag off both Andreas Christensen and Joao Felix at the break.
His changes would ultimately pay off late on as Roberto scored his second of the match with seven minutes remaining.
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The victory ended a three match winless run for the Blaugrana, who remain third in La Liga.
However, the six point gap to surprise leaders Girona could be extended once more when they play on Thursday night.
Xavi returned to Barca in 2021 after winning 25 trophies and making 767 appearances for the club as a player.
He added to that haul by winning the title by 10 points from Real Madrid last term.
His side are not in league action again now until January 4, when they visit Las Palmas.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
