Barcelona’s formula to emerge out of the current crisis: “Winning and training”

After last Sunday’s unexpected slip-up against Girona, which took Barcelona seven points off the pace in La Liga, there was another setback on Wednesday in Antwerp, where they lost to Royal Antwerp.

The loss, against a team that had not picked up a single point in the Champions League group stage, meant the Catalans missed out on the €2.8 million payment the club so desperately needed.

The only consolation was that Barça had qualified for the Round of 16 and did so at the top of the group, meaning they would be entering Monday’s draw with seeded status.

Improvements needed as Valencia clash looms

Even so, there is concern within Barcelona about the current situation and it is hoped that the team can react immediately, starting with this Saturday’s difficult game versus Valencia, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Another slip-up could this weekend leave Barça in a compromised position in terms of their hopes of retaining the league title, with just over half of the season left.

The Catalans’ sporting management has identified the things to improve and the formula to be applied to get out of this crisis: “Winning and training.”

Firstly, after these last two painful defeats, the team must get back to winning ways to recover their self-esteem and confidence.

In addition to this, and for the team to be able to perform at its best in games, everything depends on training.

The club did not like the fact that after some losses the squad had several days off or that during the national team breaks the players who were not travelling with their national teams did not take the opportunity to work more.

That is why they believe that the time has come to get their act together and increase the workload, bearing in mind the maxim that you play the way you train.

Confidence intact in Xavi

Despite the rumours about Xavi and his future, the report insists that confidence in Xavi remains intact. President Joan Laporta is understood to be still backing the club legend to turn things around.

But at the same time, the club officials believe that the time has come to step up the level of demand, especially because the team still aspires to win everything and, therefore, there is still time to rectify the course.