Xavi says Barca are 'angry' at losing to Shakhtar

Adam Drury
LiveScore
Xavi tore into his Barcelona players
Xavi tore into his Barcelona players

Barcelona head coach Xavi says his players are determined to put right their 1-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

A win would have been enough to guarantee the reigning LaLiga champions' place in the last 16 but their progression is now far from assured.

And the 43-year-old declared that his team were "angry" at the manner of their defeat.

He said: "Nothing has gone as planned.

"We wanted to guarantee qualification but it's a very clear step backwards.

"The Champions League demands the highest level but we haven't found it. We're angry.

"We couldn't fail and we have failed. It's a big mistake on our part."

Barcelona lost 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk
Barcelona lost 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk

The 2015 European champions have now won just three of their last six matches — a run that also includes an El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.

But their boss insists that they are suffering from a lack of confidence rather than anything more permanent.

He said: "Not long ago we played very good football.

"We are at a low level of confidence and we have to reset. We didn't feel comfortable in the game. 

"It's a bad feeling we have in the dressing room and also me as a coach.

"We are doing things wrong in general, both in attack and defence. We are conceding too much.

"It's my job as a coach and the players to take a step forward. It's up to me to regain dynamism and confidence. 

"The players have a high level and they can do much better than what they are doing."

Tags

BarcelonaShakhtar DonetskChampions League