Barcelona coach Xavi: We complicated things for ourselves

Barcelona coach Xavi: We complicated things for ourselves

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Xavi spoke after Barça's nervy 4-3 win over Intercity in the Copa del Rey

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says his side made things difficult for themselves as they needed extra time to beat third-division Intercity 4-3 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Ansu Fati came off the bench to score the winner and book Barça's place in the last 16 after they had three times surrendered the lead in Alicante.

"We can't be happy but these things can happen in the Copa," Xavi said. "Seven top-flight teams have been knocked out."

Ronald Araujo, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha gave Barça 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 leads but Intercity fought back each time, with ex-Barça academy player Oriol Soldevila scoring a hat-trick.

"We did not kill the game off when we were in front," Xavi added. "We could have made it 0-2, 2-4, but we made things difficult for ourselves.

"We were not good enough in both boxes. It's the same feeling we had after the Espanyol game (on Saturday). That was a warning and this is another one. 

"We weren't good in the two areas, we didn't stop crosses coming, we didn't defend our box well. We did some good things but we suffered a lot. We complicated things too much."  

Barça now face a tricky trip to Atletico Madrid this weekend in LaLiga but, after drawing with Espanyol and being scared by Intercity, Xavi insists he's not worried.

"No, we're playing well," he said when asked if he was concerned by performances. "The first half an hour against Espanyol was very good.

"And I am happy with the play today. We just need to be better in the two boxes. I have to think we can improve. There is time to prepare for Sunday's game."  

The Barça coach was not amused when it was suggested Barça had almost been embarrassed.

"No," he said. "That's not a football question. It is hard to win. Are you saying all the LaLiga teams knocked out have been embarrassed? We have to respect everyone. [Coach Gustavo] Siviero is doing a good job, like Intercity did. You have to respect them."  

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