SM
Arsenal vs. Juventus: 7 hrs 27 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
AB
Copa del Rey | Quarter-Finals
Jan 24, 2024 at 8.30pm UK
San Mames Barria
BL

Athletic Bilbao
4 - 2
Barcelona

Guruzeta (1'), Sancet (49'), Williams (105+2'), Williams (120+1')
Sancet (36'), Prados (82'), Herrera (109'), Williams (120+2')
FT
(aet)
Lewandowski (26'), Yamal (32')
Xavi (17'), Christensen (17'), Torres (82'), Fort (84'), Yamal (95'), de Jong (115'), Roberto (117')

Xavi accepts he is under pressure at Barcelona

:Headline: Xavi accepts he is under pressure at Barcelona:
Barcelona manager Xavi accepts that his job will be on the line at Camp Nou if he is unable to deliver silverware this season.
Sports Mole

Barcelona head coach Xavi has accepted that his job will be on the line if he is unable to deliver silverware this season.

The Catalan outfit were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday, suffering a 4-2 defeat to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

The two teams were level at the end of 90 minutes, before Athletic netted twice in extra-time through Inaki Williams and Nico Williams to secure their spot in the final four.

Barcelona lost the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this month, meaning that they can only win a maximum of two trophies this season in the shape of La Liga and the Champions League.

The reigning Spanish champions are third in Spain's top flight, though, eight points behind leaders Girona, while they have a tough assignment against Napoli in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

Xavi's position as head coach continues to be called into question, and there have been fresh rumours since Wednesday's loss at San Mames.

The club's legendary ex-midfielder has accepted that he must deliver trophies or his job will be on the line, telling reporters on Wednesday: "Like any manager at a big club, my job depends on titles.

"If we're not competing well by the end of this season, the normal thing would be that I left the club. This is Barca; I know where I am.

"This club has a very good future, and I'm not talking about myself. I'm talking about the youngsters that are coming through. That's why I'm playing them, I want them to be ready for the future. I don't care if I am the manager or not.

"The team's morale will go up again if we win on Saturday. We had the match today. It was a coin toss, and it landed on their side."

Xavi also insisted that his side "can be proud" of their performance against Athletic despite the disappointing nature of the result.

"We can be proud. We tried very hard and we competed until the end," he told reporters. "We have competed very well against a great team that is very strong at home.

"They're very difficult and intense. I already said this since we got them in the draw. Even though people will judge us only based on the result, we are proud of how we competed.

"We have to rebuild ourselves and try to compete for La Liga and the Champions League."

Barcelona now have back-to-back home La Liga matches to end the month, welcoming Villarreal on Saturday evening before hosting Osasuna next Wednesday. body check tags ::

amp_article__534848 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-01-25 17:01:45:
html db last update - 2024-01-25 17:01:45 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Xavi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Xavi admits Barcelona "didn't want" to draw Athletic Bilbao
Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer
When will Alaba return to action? Potential return date revealed
Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona: Head-to-head record and past meetings
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Arsenal vs. Nott'm Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

1

PA

Yoro debut? Shaw, Mainoo to return? Man United injury news vs. Ipswich

2

YD

Arsenal vs. Nott'm Forest: Head-to-head record and past meetings

NEW

3

AV

Wood or Awoniyi up front? Predicted Forest XI against Arsenal

NEW

4

WO

Preview: Man City vs. Spurs - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PM

Courtois, Rodrygo, Alaba updates: Real Madrid injury news vs. Leganes

NEW

6

CR

Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer

7

RA

Preview: AC Milan vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PA

Preview: Parma vs. Atalanta - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PP

Preview: St Etienne vs. Montpellier - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PS


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .