Xavi blasts his Barcelona players for lacking 'spirit, aggression and focus' despite narrow victory over Almeria

Barcelona squandered their lead twice but eventually managed to pick up a narrow 3-2 win over Almeria to move up to the third position on the league table. The below-par performance against rock-bottom Almeria failed to impress manager Xavi who blasted his player for lacking focus and aggression. He even went on to say that the current squad is nowhere close to what the team from 2010 used to be.

Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, the Barcelona boss said: "The first half is unacceptable and I have told you so. Pressure and aggressiveness were not acceptable. Either we run like animals or it doesn't reach us. We don't have the Barca of 2010. Last year we were aggressive and we had soul. We can't give it our all. Either we give up our skin and our lives or we won't gain anything. You have to wake up. If football doesn't come, you have to come with your soul.

"We cannot target one player. It has been in general. The intensity in the first part and the second has nothing to do with each other. Despite everything, we have generated two or three chances to score. You have to work like animals."

He added: "I'm not angry now. I have complained about the lack of soul in my team. The ball is burning and they are feeling the pressure but I have to be more demanding with the players but also protect them."

The Catalan giants picked up crucial three points after going winless in their last three matches across all competitions including defeats at the hands of Girona in La Liga and an embarrassing loss to minnows Antwerp in the Champions League.

Despite the win, the defence remains a matter of concern for the reigning champions who have already leaked 21 goals in 18 appearances. In their title-winning campaign last season, the club conceded only 20 goals across the season.

Xavi's men will be next seen in action after the Christmas break when they face Las Palmas in La Liga away from home on January 5.