Barcelona had 'worst game of season' in Almeria loss - Xavi

An angry Xavi Hernandez slammed Barcelona's «worst performance of the season» as his side missed the chance to move 10 points clear of Real Madrid in LaLiga by losing 1-0 at Almeria.

El Bilal Toure scored the only goal of the game to end Barca's 13-game unbeaten streak in LaLiga and inflict just a second league defeat of the season on the Blaugrana.

— Marsden: Barca hand Madrid LaLiga lifeline with loss — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

The reverse leaves leaders Barca seven points clear of Madrid, who had been held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

«I am really angry,» Barca coach Xavi said after the match. «It was the worst game of the season from my point of view, above all in the first half.

»It was a day to make a statement in LaLiga and there is no excuse. There was no intensity, there was not even a desire to win and that worries we me. We slipped up and we apologise to the fans. If we want to win LaLiga, we have to change chip.

«Luckily we have a seven-point cushion, but we know it's going to be hard to win LaLiga. The first half is the thing that has most disappointed me this season. We showed faith in the second half, but the first half angered me.»

The surprise loss caps a disappointing week for Barcelona, who were knocked out of the Europa League last Thursday by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Things don't get any easier for the Catalans, who travel to face Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday. They will still be without Pedri and Ousmane Dembele — who both missed the Almeria game injured — at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Ansu Fati could return.

«Of course we will pick ourselves up,» Xavi added. «People cannot think we will win LaLiga easily, it is