FC Barcelona: Sporting Director Deco shows complete confidence in Xavi amidst mediocre results, backs him to soar higher

FC Barcelona coach Xavi might have received the biggest support in his managerial stint at the Catalan club, with sporting director Deco backing him amidst some mediocre string of results. Former star player Deco has indicated his full support and confidence in Xavi’s tactics, although the club has gone through a meagre phase.

FC Barcelona- defending champions’ mediocrity might take a hit on Xavi

FC Barcelona finally might have broken their shackles this season with a comeback victory against Alaves, with defending Pichichi winner Robert Lewandowski breaking his worst goal-scoring drought with a brace, but their mediocre performances might have taken a hit at Xavi. The defending champions have been quite cynical this season, with several games won by them at the last minutes. starting with Marc Guiu’s historic winner against Bilbao, to Araujo’s winner in the dying minutes against Real Sociedad. They were slated to qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockouts with a single win against Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk, but they lost the game, therefore, waiting for one more game to get their groove back. In the domestic league, they have been defeated by arch rivals Jude Bellingham owing to the Englishman’s last-minute goal which broke millions of Culers’ hearts. Overall, Xavi and his brigade are on the mediocre side, balancing their good and bad results together, as they currently sit on the third position, after Real Madrid and surprise leaders Girona CF.

The former midfield maestro and one of the best in their ranks Xavi, who is at helm at the Catalan club, has been under the spotlight owing to his side’s poor performances. He might have got a breather with a comeback victory against Alaves, but in that game too, their defensive frailties got exposed with Alaves leading the game 1-0 within first 20 seconds, owing to a misjudged pass from Gundogan.

“We have 200% confidence”

Barca’ sporting director Deco, who was also one of their best players during his prime, has created a whirlwind of signings and contract extensions within the club since his appointment. He has been backed by club president Joan Laporta, who is indeed a big fan of Deco’s playstyle and mastermind. In a recent interview in Sport and RAC1, Deco has shown increased confidence and support for his old friend Xavi, who has been under the scrutiny in their last few games.

The Portuguese was heard saying, “There are no doubts with Xavi, confidence in him is 200%,” he said. He is the best coach for this project that began a few years ago. He accepted the challenge of coming at an important moment and is the perfect coach to rebuild everything that We are trying to rebuild. We are now going through some difficulties, we have to manage many games and surely he is the first one who wants to play better.”

He further added, “Xavi knows the responsibility he has, he knows that when we are not well, it is difficult . Both for him and for everyone. He knows perfectly what he has to do.”

Recently, after the game against Alaves, Xavi did hit out against the press owing to their pessimistic and negative approach, which has affected his players. He said in post-match conference against Alaves, “I have zero doubts that the criticism from the press is affecting the team. It happened to me as a player and I can see it now. There’s a massive wave of negativity around the team that is harming us. The criticism does not affect me, it affects the players. I can see it in their faces.”

He further added, ““Above all it affects the younger ones. You see Inigo [Martinez], Lewandowski, [Joao] Cancelo, [Ilkay] Gundogan and it doesn’t affect them. But there are a lot of young people and we have to protect them.”