Barça coach Xavi Hernandez admits Villarreal "didn't deserve to lose"

Barça coach Xavi Hernandez admits Villarreal "didn't deserve to lose"

"The victory is Holy Water in our position -- Villarreal didn't deserve to lose, but you also have to have luck"

Xavi Hernandez recognised that Barcelona suffered against Villarreal on Saturday, but he was delighted to leave with three points.

"They're three golden points," he said. "The victory is Holy Water in our position. Villarreal didn't deserve to lose, that's the reality, but you also have to have luck.

"We played against a great team, a Champions League team and we suffered. We have to value this victory. I think we should be really happy and celebrate it."

Xavi said Barça "had the luck we lacked against Benfica" and praised his players: "The attitude was impeccable. I am really happy for the players because they deserve it."

However, there was also self-criticism: "We started well, we had possession and opened the pitch, but we have to play better. We are just starting and all wins are welcome, but we have to dominate the play more and have the ball in the opposition half more."

Frenkie de Jong opened the scoring and Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho sealed the 3-1 win after Villarreal equalised, with Memphis letting Coutinho take a late penalty the Brazilian had won himself.

"It surprised us because Memphis is on penalties but we're a family," Xavi added. "They're three vital points for us."

As expected, he didn't want to talk about Ferran Torres' possible signing from Manchester City: "I understand the question but it is not the moment to speak about signings as we celebrate a win with the players we have here at the moment, an important win for us."

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