Revealed: How Barcelona players ‘won’ an extra day off at Christmas from Xavi
A challenge was set by the coach….
Barcelona players have reportedly earned an extra day off at Christmas after coming out on top of a challenge set by coach Xavi.
The first team are not due to return to training until December 29th, a day later than originally scheduled, which means they will get six days off.
Diario Sport reckon that it’s all because of a challenge Xavi set the team. The coach apparently likes to do this on occasion as a way of motivating his players.
This time around the challenge was to beat Atletico and Porto and earn an extra day off at Christmas.
Barcelona’s players duly obliged, beating Porto 2-1 in the Champions League and then taking three points off Atletico in a 1-0 victory.
Which is all very nice except for the fact that Barcelona have since suffered a slump in form and have managed just one win since, against bottom side Almeria.
Xavi has seen his side beaten by Antwerp and Girona and draw against Valencia. Even the victory over Almeria ended up being hard work, with the winner coming in the 83rd minute.
The report reckons the extra day off was “in jeopardy” after the defeat to Girona as the boss considered calling the players back on the 28th but ended up sticking to the agreement.
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