Xavi admits to losing his cool at Barcelona stars at half-time vs Almeria: “We have a lot at stake”

Barcelona just about managed to secure a scrappy 3-2 win over UD Almeria earlier this week in their final La Liga game heading into the mid-season break.

It was far from a vintage display from the reigning La Liga champions, especially during the first half, something that left manager Xavi Hernandez far from pleased.

Since the day of the match, reports have been emerging about how Xavi gave a telling-off to his players during the half-time break.

The manager was far from pleased with what he saw from his players and questioned their spirit and ambition, while urging them to ‘run like pigs’ and give their all on the pitch.

Robert Lewandowski was allegedly one of the players who had to face the ire of the Barça manager during a heated half-time talk.

Xavi admits to having a go at Barcelona players

Now, in an interview with Catalunya Radio (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Xavi has admitted that he had a go at the Barcelona stars at half-time during the Almeria encounter.

The manager admitted that he felt it was a necessary move considering that there was a lot at stake and the players needed a wake-up call.

“I try to be sincere and honest, talk to their faces, I can’t hide. Shouting? Tension, normal, it’s a dressing room, we have a lot at stake and I thought it was a good idea to raise my voice a little, that’s all,” Xavi admitted.

The manager then stated that he was happy with the reaction from his team in the second period, as he said:

“From that point on I think the team reacted very well, very well, in the dressing room we are a big family. They are professionals and they understood it very well, in the second half they took the path we have to stay on.”

Insisting that now was the time for them to regroup, Xavi added: “Now we have to take a break, a rest, to face 2024 with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement.”