As the night descended, Barcelona’s ardent supporters flooded the digital realms, unleashing a barrage of critiques aimed squarely at the helm, head coach Xavi Hernández.
This tidal wave of discontent surged forth after the Blaugrana witnessed their dreams of seizing silverware this season undergo what could be a potentially fatal deflation.
Embarking on a journey to San Sebastian not long ago, Barcelona harbored aspirations of securing a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, their adversary being none other than Athletic Club.
Yet, when the final whistle echoed through the stadium, it was the hosts of the evening who advanced triumphantly, orchestrating a 4-2 spectacle that dealt a decisive blow to Barcelona’s aspirations.
Athletic Club triumphs in extra time
In a narrative that extended beyond the conventional 90 minutes, Athletic and Barcelona found themselves in the crucible of extra time. It was during this extended battle that the Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, etched their names into the annals of triumph, their goals proving pivotal in Athletic’s progression to the Copa’s final four.
As the euphoria enveloped Ernesto Valverde’s men, the same cannot be said for Xavi and the Barcelona contingent. The post-mortem of their defeat now commences, overshadowed by the stark reality of trailing eight points from the La Liga summit and grappling with a perceived deficiency in quality to navigate the treacherous path of the Champions League.
Xavi faces fan backlash over tactical decision
Amidst the looming shadows of an unfulfilled campaign sans a glittering trophy, the club’s impassioned fanbase has vocalized their frustrations with resounding clarity. Many fingers of blame have pointed unwaveringly toward their managerial maestro.
In a digital exodus to social media platforms, the Blaugrana faithful, in droves, have meticulously illuminated Xavi’s pivotal moment of decision-making – the introduction of Sergi Roberto for Pedri. This substitution, according to adamant supporters, became the fulcrum upon which the game irreversibly tilted, ultimately sealing the fate of Barcelona’s aspirations for triumph.
