Barcelona's defensive woes persist against Granada leaving Xavi Hernandez frustrated

The match began promisingly for Barcelona as Lamine Yamal found the net in the 14th minute, but defensive frailties allowed Granada to equalize just before half-time. A quick turnaround in the second half saw Barcelona concede again, with Robert Lewandowski levelling the score only to be undone once more by Granada's Ighasi Miquel. It wasn't until Yamal's late strike in the 80th minute that Barcelona salvaged a point from the encounter at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.

Xavi didn't mince words in his post-match analysis, acknowledging that defensive errors have been a recurring issue for his team. "The defensive errors are killing us. Today we give away again and this is the summary of the season. We cannot make these mistakes. With these gifts, it cannot be repeated," Xavi lamented.

The manager expressed frustration at his team's inability to maintain defensive solidity despite scoring goals. "We have conceded in defence in situations where there was no danger. The second goal is tremendous. We can't miss more," he emphasized, highlighting the need for improvement.

Injuries have forced Xavi to shuffle his defensive line-up frequently this season, with unusual combinations such as Jules Kounde at right-back and Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez at centre-back against Granada. Despite efforts to adapt, defensive lapses persisted, prompting Xavi to stress the importance of concentration and consistency.

Xavi also addressed the performance of young talent Lamine Yamal, praising the 16-year-old's contributions while acknowledging the challenges he faces. "It's difficult for him to win duels at 16 years old and he still wins them," Xavi remarked, indicating the potential for growth within the squad.

While the draw against Granada was a missed opportunity to close the gap in the league standings, Xavi remains determined to fight on. "We do not consider the League lost by any means. We are not going to throw in the towel," he affirmed, signalling Barcelona's continued commitment to the season's objectives.

Regarding sporting director Deco's calls for radical change, Xavi remained diplomatic, stating, "It's not what has been communicated to me. He believes in the Barca model and DNA, and he has also played here." Despite external pressures, Xavi remains focused on addressing Barcelona's defensive woes and steering the team back on course in the La Liga title race.

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