'We lost control!' - Xavi slams Barcelona players for 'flagrant errors' in loss to Girona that handed La Liga title to Real Madrid

In what has become a recurring theme for Barcelona over the last month, the Catalan side yet again dropped a lead and went on to lose. Against Girona, the five-time Champions League winners took an early lead via a fine goal from Andreas Christensen, however, Girona equalized immediately. The Blaugrana took the lead again after Robert Lewandowski converted his penalty. However, a poor run of nine minutes, saw Michel Sanchez's side take a 4-2 lead which Barcelona failed to come back from. Barca boss Xavi Hernandez slammed his players after the match for their 'flagrant errors' in the game comparing it with the loss against Real Madrid last week.

Speaking after the game, Xavi said [via Marca]: "The truth is that we have lost control of the game due to flagrant errors that cannot be. It keeps happening to us. We had the game to decide and we gave it away. It is a carbon copy of the Madrid game, of the other Girona game. We have to change a lot to compete next year. Today I am sad and disappointed. We have seen both sides of the coin. Brilliant until the 60th minute, then it is the summary of the season: the lack of effectiveness kills us. We arrived easily but we lack force. and be more effective. And then we make blatant mistakes that do not correspond to the level of the players and the club. And any blow costs us a lot. many footballers. I am very sad and disappointed."

On the mentality of the players: "It's a shame. We collapse in any negative situation. They are specific errors. We have given all the confidence to the players, but this is very difficult. It is also a lack of maturity. I hope next year to compete better, because that is practically how it is. "impossible. It doesn't show on the scoreboard when we are superior, we had control of the two games against Real Madrid and Girona, and they slipped away from us."

In January, Xavi had announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, however, last month the club announced that the legendary midfielder had reversed his decision and would see out his contract that runs until 2025. Xavi revealed that the leadership of the club including Joan Laporta and Deco had convinced him to stay on this summer with guarantees having been afforded to the 44-year-old.

Despite having lost the league title, the Blaugrana will now battle for second spot in the final four matches of the season, as they look to retake second place from Girona. Finishing as runners-up means qualifying for the lucrative Spanish Supercopa next year.