Xavi reveals frustration with Barcelona’s attackers after Valencia draw: “One of the worst in Europe”

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has made his disappointment with the club’s under-firing crop of attacking talent clear.

Barca made the trip to Mestalla for a La Liga meeting with Valencia on Saturday.

The Blaugrana headed into proceedings in the knowledge that nothing but victory would suffice, after slipping a full seven points adrift of the pace atop Spain’s top flight.

When all was said and done, however, once more, their efforts came up short.

Despite dominating when it came to possession and chances created alike, Xavi and co. were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, after João Félix’s opener was cancelled out by Hugo Guillamón.

This proved just the latest occasion on which Barcelona’s star-studded frontline failed to produce when needed most this season, a trend aptly highlighted by the following alarming statistic:

Speaking to the media post-match, the Catalan giants’ headmaster could therefore hardly be blamed for making his frustrations known.

Evidently fully aware of just how pressing an issue the struggles of the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in front of goal have become, Xavi explained, as per Marca:

“I feel a lot of frustration. We must be one of the worst-finishing teams in Europe. We were good in the game.”

“We have to be more effective. Work and demand more from ourselves.”

“The team is like me. Frustrated. Displeased. I think we played a very good game to win. We beat a Valencia team at home, which is very aggressive.”

“The goal is our fault. A specific error, which is taking its toll on us in the league.”

“The problem is one of effectiveness. Of scoring zero of two. It happened to us with Atlético at home, where we should have won well and they almost tied us.”

“We have to think that we will not have another chance.”

Conor Laird | GSFN