Xavi slams Barca for failure to capitalise on Real Madrid slip as star in tears
Xavi Hernandez fumed at his Barcelona players and admitted his side missed an opportunity to close the gap on Real Madrid following their goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao.
Chances were few and far between as both teams ended up cancelling each other out during a fiery affair at San Mames. However, Barca will be disappointed not to take all three points and capitalise on a slip from Real, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Valencia on Saturday, while second-place Girona lost at Mallorca.
The result sees Barcelona remain third, eight points behind leaders Real with 11 matches to go. But the Catalan side do still have to face Real and Girona before the end of the season and if they win both of those matches, the La Liga title race could go right down to the wire.
Speaking after Barca's draw in the Basque region, Xavi cut a frustrated figure. He said: "We didn't play a good game. We didn't attack well and we had to take a step forward.
"We're sad because we didn't give our best and the game required more from us. We're saddened by the missed opportunity, the team could have given so much more."
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As well as missing the chance to close in on Real, Barcelona lost Frenkie de Jong and Pedri to first-half injuries. De Jong was driven off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly on his ankle, while Pedri was in tears as he walked off the pitch having injured his thigh.
"We're disappointed because we weren't at the level that the game required," Xavi added. "It's unfortunate because of the injuries to two very important players. Between today and tomorrow we'll know more, but it doesn't look good. We're affected. I think the team could have been affected as well, and I imagine those two absentees will be for games [coming up]. It's a sad day."
Barcelona drew 0-0 against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (Getty Images)Meanwhile, Bilbao and ex-Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was proud of his team's performance. He said: "It's a draw that reminds us of a lot to come from a match as strong as Thursday's. Our week was very emotional and we finished with our tongues hanging out and melted.
"Barça started very well, but little by little we became more competitive. It was a game with many individual disputes. We were playing against the champion. We wanted to compete and we did.
"It's true that they have lost two important players due to injury. Then because of how the game went I think it was a fair draw in a close and difficult game."
Barcelona are next in action when they host Mallorca on Friday, before their Champions League last 16 second-leg tie against Napoli next Tuesday.
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