Xavi: Barcelona have a psychological issue

Xavi

After the group stage exit from the Champions League, FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has admitted that the team have a ‘psychological issue' at the moment and that is affecting performances.

"It is a psychological issue rather than a football one. They have to believe it and that is my job. We are encouraging them to dare and be brave. At Barcelona, it's not worth playing 6/10 or 7/10. You have to aim for excellence. This is what is missing. Courage, aiming high and not low because that is not what Barcelona does. Being brave and understanding the game, we are not that far from what we want," the Barcelona manager said.

Xavi was brought in to replace Ronald Koeman in November after one of the club's most tumultuous periods, with Lionel Messi leaving in the wake of Barca's financial crisis. Xavi seemed to be turning a corner with Barcelona notching up two wins and a draw in his first three games. But things have started to fall apart once again, with Barca losing 0-1 at home to Real Betis in LaLiga before being hammered 0-3 by Bayern Munich that saw Xavi's side crash out of the Champions League.

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