Xavi not worried by recent Barcelona habit

Xavi believes his Barcelona side are playing well enough to win games more comfortably despite their habit of doing the bare minimum continuing on Sunday.

The Blaugrana took all three points as Pedri’s 18th-minute strike was enough to see them past Villarreal last time out, extending their winning streak to eight games across all competitions.

Of those eight victories, five have been sealed via a one-goal margin – a habit that has followed Barcelona throughout this season.

That said, Barcelona have still scored more goals than any other team in La Liga this season (43), while they sit top of the pile when it comes to Expected Goals (43.9), shots on target per match (5.6), and big chances created (56).

Barca now sit 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table and are easily doing enough to win by more convincing scorelines – a terrifying thought for the rest of the Spanish top flight.

“We have had more than enough chances to score more goals, but many times it is the success of the team, which is not successful in the last pass, decision-making, shooting,” Xavi told reporters after Sunday’s victory. “We have been very clear, even in numerical superiority. We are a very offensive team although we won by the minimum.”

Even with an El Clasico left, it’s going to be tough for Real Madrid to overturn the deficit in the title race now. Even so, Barca have a busy upcoming schedule that includes a Europa League showdown with Manchester United and two more meetings with Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Xavi is only too aware of the pressures that lie ahead and is not writing off Real Madrid from catching up in the league just yet.

“Insurmountable? Not at all. There is a world left,” Xavi said. “But [I am] happy because we are on a very good run.”