Pressure Mounts on Barcelona Boss Xavi Hernandez After Royal Antwerp Champions League Defeat

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May 8, 2023
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Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is coming under intense pressure following Barcelona's Champions League defeat to Royal Antwerp.

Barcelona sealed qualification to the next round of the competition after win over Porto on the penultimate clash. They finished top of their group after the final group games but did not finish strong.

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The Catalans stumbled to an away defeat to Belgian side Royal Antwerp. Vermereen stunned Barcelona with a 2nd-minute opener. Ferran Torres restored parity in the 35th minute as the first half ended on a draw.

In the 56th minute, Barcelona trailed again as Janssen scored to give Royal Antwerp the lead again.

Barcelona waited till the first minute of stoppage-time to level the score again with Guiu's goal but it seems the Belgian side were destined to snatch all three points from the visitors.

A minute after Guiu's equaliser, llenikhena scored Royal Antwerp's third to condemn the La Liga champions to their second Champions League defeat in the group.

Following the defeat, the Catalans have now suffered back-to-back defeats after their home league defeat to La Liga title hopefuls Girona.

According to Spanish outlet, AS, Xavi Hernandez is now coming under intense pressure after the series of abysmal results.

The report adds Barcelona's La Liga defeat to Girona had already set the stage for a strong opposition to Xavi's role among ranking board members of the club.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is said to be at the heart of the known names who are no longer confident of Xavi. Barcelona director and Xavi's former teammate Deco is also said to be among those who have withdrew their backing for Xavi.

As things stand, there are projections Xavi could be sacked in no distant time if the downward spiral of misfortunes lingers.

Despite finishing top of their Champions League group, Xavi Hernandez is struggling to keep Barcelona on the lanes of defending the La Liga title they won last season.

They are a distant fourth on the table, 7 points adrift of Girona, who are top of the table.

Xavi is himself worried of the club's recent poor performance. Reacting after the loss to Royal Antwerp, the Spaniard said he is worried the club have struggled to pick form recently.

He, however, added the team is in good shape to return to winning ways despite the recent temporary setback.

"It is worrying we are dropping points but were will be back in good shape."

Barcelona will be drawn along other 15 other teams who have booked their places in round 16 of the Champions League. Meanwhile, they will return to league action this weekend away to Valencia.