Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said that one of the key factors for in him changing his mind on seeing out the final year of his contract next season was the increased support from the dressing room. He has differences of opinion with several key figures over the course of the season.
Recently Ilkay Gundogan read the riot act to his own teammates following their Champions League exit, in spite of Xavi blaming he referee for the defeat. There were also reports that Gundogan, Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were not convinced by his methods.
🟢Flamante y humeante, capítulo 02×29 en @Spotify Reaccionando al partido del #Barça y con las secciones habituales. Con @ZerfBarbut @AriMaillol @MarcTresens @JoanFontes Entrad y disfrutad!https://t.co/oHywixHcv4
— Bar Canaletes (@BarCanaletes) April 29, 2024
Now Bar Canaletes have reported that this was the case back in December, when Lewandowski took Xavi aside to have a word with his manager. He told him that he had to increase the demands on the squad, and while he could tell the press that they were playing well in spite of disappointing performances, at the very least his discourse in the dressing room had to be more critical. While it was a pointer that he gave as advice rather than criticism, it certainly raises concerns over Xavi’s handling of the players.
It is not the first time that relations have been strained between Lewandowski and Xavi, with the same source previously describing a dressing room disagreement that came to a head with comments from de Jong in January.
🚨 Robert Lewandowski: "I had physical problems in the first half of the season, from the beginning of the pre-season. Things improved in 2024." @SPORTBILD
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 30, 2024
Lewandowski’s form has improved in the second half of the season, the Polish striker citing an increase in training intensity. It was also noted that Lewandowski apologised to Xavi for the team’s performances after his resignation, and organised a squad meal at his house to foment team spirit. How the heavyweights in the dressing room will respond to Xavi’s continuity remains to be seen over the coming months though.
I’m very curious to know when this lack of training intensity that Gundo and Lewa seem to be referencing was installed in the Barça dressing room. Interestingly enough they’ve both been coached by Pep after he left Barça, and haven’t had a bad thing to say about their growth under him. What is the coaching staff sorely missing, and will they address it this off-season?
Xavi can’t give what he don’t have
Hello illiterate idiot.
Can you promise us to keep crying entire summer?
Its hot here where I live, the monsoon of tears is always welcome.
This season has come & past, but we the fans of Barcelona were left with stigma for no single trauphy at all. Our rivals Madrid fan are shouting on us no lalliga no champion no super cup no kings cup!!!!