Jordi Alba on Barcelona critics: 'If I play badly, I am killed'

Defender Jordi Alba says he is «killed» every time he plays badly, but accepts that criticism comes with playing for Barcelona.

Alba helped create the late winner for Frenkie de Jong as Barca beat Alaves 1-0 on Sunday to move within one point of the Champions League places in LaLiga.

The win helped Barca move on from Thursday's Copa del Rey defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao, when Alba drew the brunt of the abuse following the elimination from supporters and the media.

«I've felt singled out for many years now,» Alba told Movistar when asked about the reaction to his performance at San Mames in midweek. «It's not the first time it's happened. But I accept the criticism, it's always going to be there.

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»If I play well, no one talks about me. If I have a normal game, I'm criticised for not setting up two goals. If I play badly, I am killed, although I recognise I did not play well the other day.

«No one gifted me 10 years at Barcelona but it's always the veterans who are singled out. It's as if there are only veterans at Barca, not anywhere else.

»For four years they've been speaking about veterans. I was 28 then. It's how it is. I am 32 now, but I still feel strong. I can have better or worse games, but I repeat that the other day I wasn't good."

Coach Xavi Hernandez says the atmosphere surrounding the club is not helpful at times, suggesting some of his players are struggling for confidence after what has been a difficult season.

Barca have already been knocked out of the Champions League, the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey, while they're only fifth in the league after beating Alaves on Sunday.

«They're three golden points,» Xavi said in a news