Barcelona manager Xavi has described his team’s 1-0 loss at Almeria as their worst game of the season while blaming fatigue for the performance of his players.

After Real Madrid’sMadrid’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Barcelona had the chance to extend their point gap to ten points with a win away from home, but the reverse was the case as their 18-game unbeaten run ended.

Almeria were coming off a 6-2 loss to Girona in their last game, and they were on a three-match losing streak before posting Barcelona on Sunday, considering at least two goals in each of their last three games.

A 24th-minute goal from El Bilal Toure was all the home side needed to break their unwanted losing streak and also recorded their first-ever victory over Barcelona in La Liga, compiling the pressure on the team that got knocked out of the UEFA Europa League during the week in the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford in the 4-3 aggregate loss.

Barcelona manager Xavi was visibly frustrated in the post-match conference labeling the performance as the worst of the season from his team while also blaming fatigue but, in the end, apologizing to fans for what has been a difficult week for the Blaugrana.

“This was our worst match of the season. I’mI’m very pissed off. It was too difficult. We weren’t there. We weren’t inside the match. There are no excuses today. We didn’tdidn’t deserve to win, and we have to take responsibility. I’mI’m very pissed off. We noticed fatigue today. That’sThat’s why we did so many rotations. The players were tired, and it was clear. We want to say sorry to the fans. What we saw today is inexcusable. I don’tdon’t understand it,” Xavi said.

Barcelona’s next fixture is the El Clasico in the Copa Del Rey against Real Madrid on the 2nd of March. They can now focus on the domestic double after their ouster from Europe totally.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu