Barcelona boss Xavi admits he and his players are “raging inside” after losing El Clasico, but is determined to get back on track against Real Sociedad.
Jude Bellingham scored twice – including a dramatic stoppage-time winner – as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Barca 2-1 last weekend.
The England midfielder struck a stunning equaliser after 68 minutes at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium and then settled his first El Clasico with a close-range volley in the dying moments.
The home side had led at the interval through former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan’s early goal, but the defeat dropped them four points behind their fierce rivals, who top LaLiga on goal difference from Girona.
Xavi’s men face a tough task to return to winning ways when they travel to fifth-placed Sociedad, who have won seven of their last nine games in all competitions.
“This will be a difficult test,” Xavi said in quotes reported on the club’s official website.
“(Sociedad manager) Imanol Alguacil does a wonderful job, he gets intensity and good football out of his players. As for us, we need to make higher demands of ourselves and keep humbly working to cut down the four-point difference on the leaders.
“And this game is the ideal scenario to demonstrate that we can do it. We always pursue excellence. FC Barcelona never settles for anything else.
”We need to reset at a difficult ground. We’re angry, we’re raging inside, but we have to make amends for our mistakes. It’s the small details that matter, we can’t afford to have any more lapses in concentration.”
Pedri is back!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Xavi will be boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Pedri following a hamstring problem, the Spain international having not featured since scoring in the 2-0 win over Cadiz on August 20.
“We have a healthy squad,” Xavi added. “I am happy with the work and willingness of all the players. We have players that are hungry to win.
“And having Pedri back is really good news for the team. He is a capital player for getting us to play the way we want to.
“We have so many different options in this team. (Ronald) Araujo and (Jules) Kounde can both play, but I’m very happy with (Joao) Cancelo. He is a physically and mentally strong player.
“Raphinha and (Robert) Lewandowski are both looking good. But Frenkie de Jong is still feeling pain despite being able to train with the group.”
