Barcelona coach Xavi offered no excuses after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Danylo Sikan proved Shakhtar’s matchwinner in Hamburg.
Xavi later said, “I think we are at a low level of play, worst for the season. We have played one of the worst games of these two years. There is nothing lost. But it is at the most inopportune moment.
“We have to do self-criticism. You have to be more dynamic, be recognizable… you have to have more confidence. We were not comfortable in the game. You have to do a reset.
“In the second half, we improved but we were not fluid. You have to win back people and give them confidence. It’s a shame, but nothing is lost.”
On reaching the knockout phase, Xavi said: “We depend on ourselves. The next game is at home, with Porto, and mathematically we can do it. You have to take pride and self-love. We must regain trust.
“We are in a small hole, also in terms of confidence. It’s more mental than game. We are blocked. We are in a bad moment.
“I think we do things wrong in general, in attack and defence. The pressure after a loss is not what it should be… the players have to be recovered. We have to create more.”
He added: “The staff must not lose confidence, it is my job. We have to keep going. There is nothing lost. We are in a small football slump.”
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