Barça’s coach weighs in on media pressure and player performance
The Barça coach, Xavi Hernández, has made it clear that the press can sway how his players perform. He spoke candidly after Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alavés at Montjuïc, acknowledging the impact that public scrutiny can have on a squad under pressure.
Following the LaLiga clash against Alavés in which Robert Lewandowski struck in the second half to seal the victory, the coach reflected on the moments of tension that accompany a demanding season. In the first half, Samu Omorodion gave Alavés the lead just after kickoff, and whistles greeted Barça at the interval from their own supporters as the team trailed by a goal.
Asked whether criticism from the media affects his team, Xavi responded that it does. He explained that what is written and said by the press can create scenarios that are not aligned with reality, and such narratives can carry a negative weight that touches the players. He stressed that this influence is real, even if it does not shake him personally. He noted that a sense of manufactured drama can cast a pall over the mood in the squad.
“The press speaks, and it leaves an imprint on the group”, he said. “There is negativity that can have an impact. It influences them.” He added that the intensity from outsiders can sometimes overshadow the day-to-day work and focus, but he also made it plain that his own nerves stay steady. The players, he said, feel the tension and the scrutiny, yet it is the work, the patience, and the collective calm that ultimately define the team’s performance.
In several exchanges with reporters, Xavi underscored the responsibility of the players and the coaching staff to stay composed under pressure. He reminded everyone that the squad deserved recognition for their efforts and resilience, especially after a challenging first half. He praised the group for maintaining discipline and for sticking to the plan that had carried them through the previous weeks, emphasizing that consistency remains the path forward.
Barcelona’s late breakthrough came through Lewandowski, whose second-half tally turned the momentum in favor of the visitors. The result cemented a crucial win in a season where every point matters, and it highlighted the importance of maintaining focus even when external voices intensify. The team’s ability to convert pressure into goals illustrated a disciplined response to the mixed emotions that can accompany a high-stakes campaign.
The exchange between the coach and the media illustrated a broader reality in top football: the public narrative can shape the atmosphere around a team just as surely as tactical adjustments. Xavi’s comments pointed to a balance that elite squads strive to achieve—acknowledging outside influence while preserving a steady, goal-oriented mindset that serves the collective better than individual narratives. The players were reminded that their performance is assessed not only by results but by the consistency of their effort, preparation, and unity on matchdays.
As the season progresses, the ongoing dialogue between the club and the press will continue to be a factor in how teams manage expectations. For Barça, the challenge remains translating ambition into sustained performances on the pitch, with every match offering an opportunity to demonstrate resilience, teamwork, and the ability to navigate the pressure that accompanies a club of such stature.