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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.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona11100137102730
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Villarreal116322019121
4Osasuna126331716121
5Atletico MadridAtletico11551167920
6Athletic Bilbao115331711618
7Real BetisBetis11533119218
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Sevilla114341215-315
11Celta Vigo114161720-313
12AlavesAlaves124171419-513
13Real Sociedad11335810-212
14GironaGirona113351114-312
15Leganes11254912-311
16Getafe1117389-110
17Espanyol113171019-910
18Las PalmasLas Palmas112361319-69
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97
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