Madrid, FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez admitted his side had deserved the loss after their 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday which saw them overtaken by their rivals at the top of La Liga.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Fede Valverde put Madrid in the driving seat, and although Ferran Torres pulled a goal back for Barca with seven minutes left, Rodrygo's injury-time penalty sealed Barca's fate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We didn't take advantage of our good moments and Madrid did," admitted Xavi in his post-game press conference, reports Xinhua. "Nothing is going right for us and we have to change that," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about his side's reaction in the closing minutes, the Barca coach commented that he couldn't "be happy with anything after losing 3-1."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We were facing a great team and you have to know what you are doing and we were not at our best. We had spoken about stopping their counter-attacks and they caught us out on one in their first goal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's a long season, but that is not consolation. We need to be more mature," insisted Xavi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was far more satisfied and able to celebrate an important win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We were more convincing and more effective. We scored with a move from the back and avoiding pressure. We did well. The team was excellent as a group and that was the key," commented Ancelotti, who gave extra value to the win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"These are not just three points. We have taken them from one of the most dangerous rivals in the competition," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n