Xavi slams Barcelona for lacking spirit, hunger, focus - ESPN

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández slammed his side's «unacceptable» performance despite ending a three-game winless streak by beating LaLiga's bottom side Almería 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

Captain Sergi Roberto scored a brace, including an 83rd minute winner, to seal the points after Almería had twice come from behind in search of their first win in the league this season.

— Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

«We suffered much more than I expected,» Xavi said in his postgame news conference.

«We had 30 shots and gifted them two goals. The first half is unacceptable. As a coach you can't accept that — I told [the players] that at half-time.

»It's as simple as that. The second half is better, but we missed a lot [of chances] and made a lot of mistakes. It's been like this for over a month.

«The team lacked spirit. The team doesn't have that same spirit it had last season. There's no aggression or focus. We need more rhythm and intensity.»

Raphinha gave Barça a first-half lead, but Almería drew level before the break through Léo Baptistão, which led to the home supporters whistling off the players at half-time.

«I totally [get why they whistled],» Xavi added. «I don't like whistling. I never whistled in my life, but I understand it.

»Like I said, [the performance was] unacceptable. You cannot lack spirit. You can play well, badly, win or lose, it doesn't matter, but you have to give everything out of respect for the club and the badge."

Roberto restored Barça's lead, only for Almería to level again, this time through Edgar González. It was the 21st goal the Catalan side have conceded in the league this season — more than in the entire campaign last year.

There was still time for one more twist as