Xavi: The positive thing about today was that Barca and their opponents scored extra time

Barca coach Xavi attended the post-match press conference with Athletic Bilbao on January 21

For today's game, such a result is also a very uncomfortable thing:

I think Athletic Bilbao played very well, our advance today was severely hampered and our formation was limited against Athletic Bilbao's defence. They played better, which made us play very tough and although Pedri brought us into extra time, there was still a final penalty.

We are out today, but there is no other way but to keep working, keep working, believe our plans, and then there are the league and the Europa League. It's a pity, but there's no other way to do it now. Today Barca have gone all out, but there is no result.

What do you think the team needs to improve today?

Today the opponents played very well, especially their goal, their ability to scramble for the second point, we didn't do well in that regard, we should be more patient when we are in the opponent's half. Today we created some opportunities, but not many. We need to keep training, we need to be more dominant in the opponent's half, we need to create more stuff.

How are Pedri and Fati injured?

We'll see, Pedri's situation doesn't look very serious, Fati is more devastated, and we need to be checked on Friday to know exactly how long to rest.

If you summarize today's game, what do you think is the problem with Barca?

In summary, Barca lost in the intensity of the game, Athletic Bilbao played more focused and intense than we did, whether it was the second point, or the various opportunities to play, the opponents played the ball as if it were the last ball. This is the Stadio San Mamés, where you are required to fight, 50% of the ball, you need to go all out.

I think that's it, the opponents beat us in terms of the intensity of the game, Athletic Bilbao is fighting for the second point, in terms of various tactical arrangements, in the arrangement of the game, they are very physically confrontational, and they are very experienced and hardworking. However, Barca have been working hard and scored a great goal.

We need to adjust to the current situation, Barça is in a more difficult situation, but there is no other way but to continue to work and work. We need to cheer up, and the Europa League and the League, both of which are not easy, and we need to fight for these two titles.

After the match with Real Madrid, you said that Barca are improving, so is today's game a regression? Is it a failure for Barca's current reconstruction?

I don't like the word "failure", today we tried hard, even if it is a failure, I need to learn a lesson, Barca still need to continue to work hard to cheer up the players, because there are still leagues and Europa Leagues.

On a positive note, today we played extra time, to the limit, but Athletic Bilbao was a lot better than us in the game. We all know how hard it is for San Mamés to play, and against such an opponent and such a manager, we need to congratulate Athletic Bilbao.

Now that everyone is talking about Dembele's problem, does this have an impact on the atmosphere of the team? And the abandonment of Dembele, did you do it with the club? Or did the club decide?

I don't think it matters, Dembele is an important player, but today's decision was made by all of us, not by one side, that's it, nothing more can be said.

Regarding Alba's performance, there is a lot of criticism about him, and the playing time is also a lot, are you considering Barca bringing in a left-back to replace him?

Alba needs to defend both the Ignacki and Nick brothers today, as well as Raul Garcia and Sancert, and such opponents need him to defend, and also open up space on the left side of the attack. Alba cannot be blamed alone, it is the responsibility of the whole team. Alba also came out today with an injury, because it was uncomfortable to come back from Saudi Arabia.