FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was heavily criticized after the victory against Alaves, not only for his performance, but also for his comments towards the press.
Xavi explained that media criticism affected their performances, an excuse few believed, and he attracted further criticism, but it was not without reason. As reported by Carrusel Deportivotwo FC Barcelona staff members deleted their social media to avoid reading the reviews.
As for Oriol Romeu, he has been described as going through a “crisis of confidence”, which makes sense after his dip in form and the criticism that came with it. Brazilian winger Raphinha also struggled to make the impact he was expected to have, and was reportedly affected by his assessment by the media. The example of Ferran Torres last season is also cited as someone who fought his way out of a difficult moment thanks to his mental strength.
Whether or not it affects his players, it’s not necessarily something that should be admitted or used as an excuse. Xavi’s job is to ensure his players can perform despite the pressure.
