Barcelona’s coach Xavi Hernandez spoke after the Clasico setback, reflecting on the 1-2 loss to Real Madrid. While pleased with the team’s performance, he called the defeat unfair and cited the overall display as commendable yet imperfect under pressure.
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He noted that Madrid controlled the game after the 60th minute, with decisive pressure in the final stretch. The Barcelona coach said the team showed resilience but struggled to manage tension and fatigue in the closing minutes, acknowledging Real Madrid as a strong opponent with notable strengths. This marked his first defeat of the season as coach.
Xavi also addressed his interaction with Vinicius Jr, expressing respect and admiration for the Real Madrid forward while denying any intent to create tension or ill feelings in the rivalry.
He highlighted the leadership shift in the final moments of the match, contrasting Madrid’s higher pressing intensity and more one-on-one situations with Barcelona’s attempts to retain possession. The coach pointed out that Bellingham opened the scoring in the opening minute and then found space for a second goal, underscoring the harsh reality of football where efficiency matters as much as effort.
Asked about a specific moment, Xavi stated that Real Madrid’s first goal made the difference and cautioned against dwelling on the result. The team had to move forward with the season, keeping perspective as the league schedule remains long.
Gavi, the self-titled Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, commented on the defeat from a player’s view. He felt Barcelona deserved to win but recognized the two matches’ outcomes and focused on the long league run ahead. He said the narrow margins and the opening goal proved decisive and admitted that the team’s collapse stemmed from a painful sequence that followed a critical early error.
The match scene also featured comments on Vinicius Jr. and his impact, with the Barcelona camp maintaining respect for the rival star and emphasizing sportsmanship in a heated fixture.
Gavi: We can’t let the game overwhelm us
Gavi, one of Barcelona’s standout players in the loss, said that his side deserved to triumph and admitted lingering disappointment. He told DAZN that the league is very long, urging his teammates to stay focused. He pointed to details in the build-up and the pivotal first goal as the turning point, insisting that the team must not linger on that moment and should instead press ahead with confidence.
In the same recap, the match highlighted how quick counterplays and individual exploits shape Clasico outcomes, with every detail counting toward the result.
When Bellingham broke through and silenced the Montjuïc crowd
Marcos Lopez contributed to the postmatch analysis, noting how Bellingham’s presence shifted the balance and created decisive moments for Real Madrid.
Ter Stegen on Bellingham’s impact
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen reflected on the night, acknowledging that Bellingham’s two goals altered the course of the match. He praised Real Madrid’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and noted that while Barcelona produced a solid performance overall, the visitors were clinical when it mattered. Ter Stegen added that his team did not find the winning mood in the end, conceding that they could have managed the game better in the closing stages.
He also defended the overall effort by Barcelona, saying the squad played with intention and unity, but Real Madrid did not require a large number of goals to secure the victory. The message was clear: the result was disappointing, yet there is room to reflect and improve as the season progresses.