FC Barcelona head into their next match knowing the problems that came up against Girona. However, that clash against their Catalan opponents at the Montjuic Stadium definitely could have lingering effects. For Barcelona, those lingering side effects have to be forgotten and put behind.
In a way, many traits of Barcelona saw their worst possible versions come up. While the Catalan giants were undoubtedly at their worst on the field, that’s not where the frustrations ended nor started. In fact, as per recent reports, the dressing room atmosphere during halftime was rather chaotic.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi Hernandez showcased a different style of conversation during the halftime talk. Typically, in moments of vulnerability, Xavi has chosen to use soft words and a motivating nature to help his team fight back. However, the halftime talk against Girona was reportedly much different.
Trailing 2-1 to the visitors by the midway point, Xavi was seen as being quite aggressive and frustrated during the break. He frequently hit the board and was actively angry about what he had seen. The Barcelona coach demanded more in terms of both quality and aggression.
As per the report, one of the key details he highlighted was that he did not want to see his Barcelona side lose to Girona on the basis of wanting it more. He made sure to point out that the Barcelona players were undoubtedly the better of the two squads.
However, the result was nothing different from the first half. While Barcelona did initially look more intense and committed, it ultimately amounted to nothing. The halftime talk was intense enough that the players just listened and acknowledged the coach, but the result still remained far from what Xavi wanted.
The next game up ahead is against Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Champions League. More or less a meaningless game, but it will still allow Barcelona to improve from where they currently stand.
