Xavi: 'Defensive mistakes are killing us'

Disappointment for Barça after a 3-3 draw at home to Granada that could have ended in victory for either side with coach Xavi Hernández sending on Raphinha and Marc Guiu in the final minutes as the blaugranes sought an elusive winner. After scoring three goals at home and only picking up a point, the FC Barcelona boss admitted in his post game press conference that "defensive mistakes are killing us."

Worried about the defence 

The game started well in the Estadi Olímpic for Barça with Lamine Yamal putting the home side ahead after 14 minutes. For Xavi getting a goal up is not enough: "We have to go for the game from the first minute and even more so when you go ahead early on," said the coach before adding that mistake at the back are "costing us a lot of points." 

"Going forward we created a lot but bad errors at the back mean we are behind Madrid and Girona. A point is not enough," continued the Barça boss. 

"The players are angry, like the fans. It's an opportunity lost and we were not up to the job, it's a step backwards." 

Asked about the objective in the league now with Real Madrid having a 10 point advantage over his team, Xavi said: "The goal is not to throw in the towel. We are not giving up the league up but we know it is difficult." 

"The day against Villarreal we conceded five,  today three...it makes it difficult if you want to compete and win things. We had played well in the last two games and we had worked hard on defensive aspects," concluded the Barça coach as thoughts now turn to next week's away game at Celta Vigo.