Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez repeatedly apologized to the club's fans after Sunday's 4-1 humiliation by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Vinícius Júnior scored a first-half hat-trick at Al-Awwal Park, including two in the first 10 minutes, and Rodrygo Goes completed the rout in the second half as Madrid took revenge on Barça for last year's defeat in the final.
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Robert Lewandowski had briefly helped Barça come back from 2-1 down, but Vinícius' third goal, from a penalty, ended any hope of a Clásico comeback before the break.
“I'm disappointed and sad,” Xavi told Movistar after the game. “This is football and today we have to face the painful side of the game.
“It's a shame. We had high hopes of reaching the final and we gave our worst performance. We started badly, we had the chance to come back, but the penalty ended the game.
“We were never comfortable. Madrid did a lot of damage on the counterattack and in transition. We apologize to the fans, we did not compete, but I have experienced many defeats with this club. Barça will return.”
Xavi apologized to the fans several more times in his post-match press conference and said he is prepared for the criticism that will “deservedly” follow.
“It is a moment to apologize to the fans and accept the criticism that comes,” he added. “We didn't show the side of the team that we should have in a final, especially against Madrid.
“Today we were at our worst moment in the worst possible scenario and it is a lost trophy. I am responsible. I accept the criticism and we will continue working hard.
“It's a tough loss, but we've bounced back from tough losses many times and we'll get back to competing in the best way possible.”
However, despite the nature of the result, coupled with being eight points behind LaLiga leaders Girona, Xavi, who led Barça to the league title last year, has no fears for his place.
“[There is] Confidence, yes,” said the Barça coach, who last year renewed his contract until 2025, when asked if he still has the support of the club's hierarchy.
“We must be self-critical and correct a lot, but I still believe in the project and that we can have a great season. We have to be very self-critical with our performance today.
“There are reasons to believe it. Last year we won two trophies with me as coach. Not long ago. Today was tough and I apologize to the fans, but there are arguments in our favor.
“Last season there were reasons to say that we were entering a new era. Now we will have to endure criticism, be self-critical and reset, which is what we need to fight for LaLiga, the Champions League and the Cup.” King.
“I believe in the project, in myself and in the players and that we can change the situation, starting Thursday against [Unionistas de] Salamanca.
“Today is a step back and a hard blow for me, the club and the players, but this is sport and the project continues. I have been in these situations many times.”
Barça's sporting director, Deco, also offered his support to Xavi after the match.
“This question doesn't make sense,” he told Movistar when asked about Xavi's future. “The coach still has the trust of the president and the club and this defeat does not change anything.
“We couldn't counter Madrid with Vinicius and Rodrygo. They have quality players. At 2-1 we had the feeling that we could improve, but the third goal did a lot of damage.
“It was a trophy we wanted to win and losing 4-1 is tough, but we couldn't fight back. We have to move on and think now about the Cup match on Thursday.”
Barca will travel to third division Unionistas in the Copa del Rey round of 16 in midweek and then return to LaLiga action next weekend when they play Real Betis.
They are also still alive in the Champions League, with a two-legged round of 16 tie against Italian champions Napoli to be played in February and March.
